The suspect in a brutal mass stabbing in Saskatchewan, that resulted in the death of 10 people and injury of 18 others, continues to elude Canadian police for the third day amid a sprawling manhunt.
Canadian police converged on the James Smith Cree Nation on Tuesday after being drawn back to the area by potential sightings of the individual wanted in a stabbing spree. There was a heavy police presence on the indigenous reserve in Saskatchewan, which was about 320 kilometers north of the provincial capital of Regina, where the Sunday bloodshed occurred.
Brutal Mass Stabbing
Hours later, however, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), said that its "investigation has determined" that the suspect, identified as 30-year-old Myles Sanderson, was "not located in the community" of the reserve. They added that authorities were continuing to search for the suspect.
The man remained at large and possibly injured, said police, after investigators on Monday found the suspect's accused accomplice and older brother, identified as 31-year-old Damien Sanderson, dead in a grassy area of the James Smith Cree Nation, as per Reuters.
The two men are suspected of the murder of 10 and injury of 18 in a stabbing rampage in the James Smith Cree reserve and the nearby village of Weldon. The incident roiled an indigenous community of roughly 3,400 people in one of the deadliest attacks in the history of the country.
Among the surviving victims, 10 remained hospitalized as of Tuesday afternoon, seven of which were listed in stable condition, and three were noted as in a critical state, said health officials. The Regina police chief said on Monday that the manhunt for Sanderson was focused in that city.
According to CNN, RCMP Saskatchewan posted on Twitter on Tuesday, saying, "As the whereabouts of Myles Sanderson remain unknown, the emergency alert is active for the entire province and we continue to urge the public to take appropriate precautions."
Extensive Manhunt
RCMP Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore noted that the deceased Sanderson's injuries did not appear to be self-inflicted. The police official added that the suspect at large is considered "armed and dangerous." She noted that Sanderson has a "lengthy criminal record" and had warrants out for his arrest before the brutal stabbings.
Despite not being arrested yet, authorities have charged Sanderson with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and breaking and entering into a residence. One of the victims of the stabbings was identified as Gloria Burns, a first responder.
The victim was responding to a crisis call when she was caught up in the violence and killed, said her brother, Darryl Burns. However, the agency did not say whether or not the call was related to the stabbings.
Police Chief Evan Bray said that he believed children were safe as schools have just reopened for the new school year in Regina. "There were very violent incidents that happened. However, since then, no violence has occurred. And no youth or children were targeted in those violent attacks," he said.
However, the police chief still warned that Sanderson should be considered dangerous and urged the public to come forward with "that little piece of information that you know. (It) might be more important than you think," Yahoo News reported.
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