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Daily Mirror
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Ryan Fahey

Canada mass stabbings: Everything we know after 10 dead and desperate manhunt continues

A suspect in the stabbing spree that tore through Canada in the deadliest day of the country's history has been found dead - with his brother still on the run and thought to be injured.

Damien and Myles Sanderson ripped their way through an indigenous community in Saskatchewan on Sunday, targeting some while appearing to attack others at random, police said.

Among the 10 killed was a mum-of-two, a 77-year-old widower and an emergency responder.

The attacks took place in 13 locations across James Cree Nation and Weldon in the state of Saskatchewan.

After a manhunt cops found Damien, 31, lying dead in a grassy area and have said he may have been killed by his own brother.

Myles, 30, is still at-large and police have warned that he "may have sustained injuries" and could be seeking medical attention.

Here is everything we know about the tragedy...

Suspects

Shortly after the tragedy on Sunday, police released the names and physical descriptions of the Sanderson brothers, warning the public to avoid the highly dangerous previous offenders.

Damien Sanderson was described as five-foot-seven, with black hair and brown eyes. Myles Sanderson is described as six-foot-one, with black hair and brown eyes.

Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mounted Police, told reporters that Myles Sanderson had sustained "visible injuries" in the hours after the stabbing.

She said: "We can confirm he has visible injuries. These injuries are not believed to be self-inflicted at this point."

Asked if Myles Sanderson was suspected of also killing his brother, Blackmore said, "It is an investigative avenue that we are following up on but we can't say that definitively."

She also warned that police still considered the surviving brother a danger to the public, even if he is injured.

"Myles has a lengthy criminal record involving both persons and property crimes. ... We consider him armed and dangerous. Do not approach him," Blackmore said.

Lana Head has been identified as one of the 10 people killed (Facebook)

Police in the Saskatchewan city of Saskatoon had been searching for Myles Sanderson since May, when he was listed "unlawfully at large" after he stopped meeting his parole officer.

It came after he served time inside for assault, robbery, mischief and uttering threats, CBC News reported.

Regina Police said a Dangerous Person Alert was issued on Sunday morning and was extended province-wide.

The pair were last sighted driving a black Nissan Rogue with licence plate 119 MPI in Saskatchewan’s capital of Regina, about 200 miles south of the attacks.

But it later emerged Damien had been found dead.

Victims

A full list of victims is yet to be released, but the three whose names have been confirmed by devastated family members included an emergency responder, a mum-of-two, and an elderly widower.

Only three of the victims have been named (REUTERS)

Police said the youngest person slain during one of the most deadly days in Canadian history was born in 1999.

Gloria Burns, a member of the community's crisis response team, was killed when she attended an emergency call.

Her brother Ivor Wayne, contradicting police reports, said a 14-year-old boy, another woman and his sister all died at a single location.

Speaking with APTN, Michael Brett Burns confirmed his ex-partner and mother of his two daughters Lana Head was among the fallen.

He added that Lana's current partner was also murdered.

A crime scene is photographed in Weldon, Sask., on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2022 (Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock)

At the time of his comments, he said he was guarding the community's privacy as they mourn and deal with their unfathomable losses.

Friends and family have begun paying tribute to Ms Head on her Facebook page, with her son tragically writing: "Mom. You never got to see my sweet 16."

He continued: "You never got to see my sweet 16... that we both dreamed so much about. I never got to say goodbye. I’m going to miss you so much. I don’t know what to do without you.

"Please reply to me and tell me this is all a dream.. please come and let’s visit in your car."

One friend Jenn Sanderson wrote: "I love you and say prayers for your children, grandchildren, your family. I am going to miss your sweet hellos and messages. I will forever cherish your sweet demeanour and caring ways."

A police officer in protective equipment walks in a crime scene in Weldon, Sask (Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock)

Wes Petterson, a 77-year-old widower who frequently helped out his neighbours, was also reportedly killed.

Motive

It's currently unknown why the Sanderson brothers carried out the attack, but people within the community believe the two men were high on drugs at the time.

Ivor Wayne Burns explained: " This tragedy that happened here on our land, it's all because of drugs and alcohol."

Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore speaks while Regina Police Chief Evan Bray, left, looks on during a press conference (Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock)

He added that the involvement of drugs in the killings was discussed during a community meeting on Monday.

"The drug problem we have here is rampant. It's gone out of control," Burns said.

His comments echoed those on Sunday of Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, who connected the killings with drugs.

Although police have not identified drugs or alcohol as a factor, Burns said the men responsible for the killings are band members and were high at the time of the crimes. Band is a term used to refer to certain First Nations communities in Canada.

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