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Over 3,000 stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice.
The search continued Monday for one of the two suspects in Sunday’s stabbing rampage in Saskatchewan.
In an exclusive interview with 650 CKOM and 980 CJME, Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore — the commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP — and Regina Police Service Chief Evan Bray said Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson remained at large despite police efforts to locate them.
In a subsequent media conference, police revealed Damien Sanderson had been found dead Monday morning.
The vehicle the men were believed to be travelling in was seen Sunday in Regina’s east end, so Bray said the focus remains on the Queen City.
“The last credible, reliable information we had is that we believe these suspects to be in our community,” Bray said. “We haven’t had any new information that would disprove that and so, as a result, we’re operating under the opinion that they are here.
“As a result, we’ve got what I would call a very aggressive investigation underway with the RCMP to try and pin down their whereabouts.”
Myles Sanderson is a suspect in the stabbing deaths of 10 people on the James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon, a nearby community. It’s being described as the worst mass murder in the province’s history.
On Monday, Blackmore confirmed nine people died on the James Smith Cree Nation and one person was killed in Weldon.
“We believe there were victims who were targeted by these individuals,” she said. “At the very least, they were known to these individuals, which would indicate they were targeted.
“Other individuals, it appears at this point in time, were random victims. That’s part of the actions that our investigators are taking to confirm that information and follow up with those connections.”
Residents of Weldon are remembering the 77-year-old man who was killed in that community, but 650 CKOM and 980 CJME have chosen not to identify him.
The names of the other victims aren’t being released by the RCMP at this time.
“We will be working with other agencies, both with the coroner and with the First Nation, and of course the families,” Blackmore said. “It’s very important that families are made aware of the situation and that no information goes out prior to when it should.”
In a release Monday, the Mounties updated the number of people hurt in the attacks from 15 to 18. There were 13 separate crime scenes at which investigators were working.
In a release Monday, the RCMP said it had charged both men.
Myles Sanderson is charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of break and enter. Damien Sanderson is charged with one count of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of break and enter.
The Mounties didn’t explain why the number of charges didn’t add up to the total number of deaths and injuries.
Blackmore said the suspects were known to police, but didn’t say why. She confirmed a warrant for Myles Sanderson’s arrest has been out since May, but it wasn’t issued by the Mounties.
On May 27, Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers included Myles Sanderson in a Facebook post about fugitives in the province. It said he was wanted for being unlawfully at large.
Blackmore also said the RCMP will work to determine if the rampage was drug-related.
The RCMP issued a dangerous persons alert for the suspects early Sunday morning after reports of the stabbings were received, and the manhunt began.
During a media conference Sunday and again in his interview Monday, Bray said police believe someone has details about the suspects’ location.
“The main message that I would like to get across is the appeal to the public that if someone knows some information that can help us in locating these individuals, we would really appreciate a phone call (or) somehow getting ahold of the police to let us know,” he said.
“This is a situation that has (created) a lot of anxiety in our province (and) a lot of worry. And let’s not forget the tragedies that happened (Sunday) for an entire province and communities to step forward.
“The first thing is we have to get these two safely in custody, and that’s our priority right now.”
Bray added that any little piece of information could assist the police in their investigation.
“That’s the advantage of having robust investigative teams working on this,” he said. “We will investigate every tip and every piece of information that comes in.
“Sometimes they lead to credible source information or information that we weren’t previously aware of. But I can assure you: Between the work of the RCMP and our police service, we are working on this and have been since (Sunday) morning when those calls came in.”
Damien (left) and Myles Sanderson wanted by the RCMP. (RCMP/Submitted)
Myles Sanderson is described as being 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Police reminded residents not to approach the suspect if he’s spotted, and to call 911. Details also can be reported to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
People also were urged to shelter in place if they could.
Bray concluded a video on Twitter updating the situation with a message for viewers: “Stay safe, Saskatchewan.”
The complete interview with Bray and Blackmore can be heard below.