Police in Canada were initially searching for two men, considered armed and dangerous, who were suspected of being the culprits of a mass stabbing on Sunday in Saskatchewan, Canada. On Monday, police updated that one of the suspects, Damien Sanderson, was found dead. The other is at large but is believed to be injured.
The attacks happened in indigenous communities in several locations, and left at least ten people dead and 15 injured.
Damien Sanderson, 31, deceased, and Myles Sanderson, 30, the alleged killers, were witnessed to be driving a black Nissan Rogue, license plate 119 MPI, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Their vehicle was spotted 186 miles south of the crime scene.
The attacks occurred in the indigenous community of the James Smith Cree Nation reserve. Leaders of the reserve called a state of emergency on Sunday, according to a news release. One of the attacks occurred in the community of Weldon.
The first stabbing was reported at about 5:40 a.m. at the James Smith Cree Nation reserve, after which other calls were received by police about stabbings in the community.
Helicopters with paramedics were dispatched to help the wounded, and transported victims to local hospitals.
Officials said there were 13 separate locations where the attacks were carried out.
“It is certainly a very significant event if not the largest we’ve seen in the last number of years,” Assistant Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Rhonda Blackmore said.
Police believe some of the targets were intentional and some were random.
There are about 175,000 indigenous people living in Saskatchewan. More than half of Canada’s indigenous population reside in Canada’s Western provinces.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he is “shocked and devastated” by the attacks.
Medical emergency centers were set up in the communities, according to the leaders of the reserve.