Published on : 09/05/2022 – 00:11Changed : 09/05/2022 – 06:13

In response to 911 calls, police found ten bodies in the Indigenous community of the James Smith Cree Nation and in the nearby town of Weldon, Saskatchewan (Western Province), Deputy Mounted Police Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said at a news conference.

” Several other victims were injured, 15 of whom have been transported to various hospitals so far. ‘ she added, indicating that after ‘ two suspects » and examines « numerous crime scenes “.

It all starts early Sunday morning, reports our correspondent in Quebec, Pascale Guericolas. Residents of this Native American reservation in north-central Canada are awakened by a police alarm. The latter has just learned that several assassinations have taken place. The residents quickly realize with horror that two men killed 10 people with knives between this place and a neighboring village.

The suspects were identified, two men named Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson, aged 30 and 31, with black hair and brown eyes. They allegedly fled in a black Nissan Rogue, Ms Blackmore said. Police forces were deployed to the fullest to capture them.

In the late morning they are sighted in downtown Regina, 300 kilometers from the scene of the assassination, during a major American football game in this city. The police therefore increased security around the stadium, but also set up numerous roadblocks. Authorities from the three provinces are actively working together to arrest the two suspects who are still at large.

” So that we understand each otherpolice said at a news conference. We’re still looking for the two suspects. We ask the people of Saskatchewan and the surrounding provinces to remain vigilant. At this stage of the investigation, we understand that some victims were targeted by the suspects, while others were chosen at random. If Damien and Myles hear or hear this information, I urge them to contact the police immediately. »

The James Smith Cree Nation community of 2,500 has declared a local emergency. Saskatchewan residents have also been asked to stay home for safety reasons.

A woman who lives in the area where the killings took place told a TV station that one of the suspects asked her for help, claiming that he cut his face before making his escape.

“Terrible and shocking” attacks

” The attacks in Saskatchewan today are appalling and heartbreaking. I think of those who have lost loved ones and those who have been hurt Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter.

The Saskatchewan Health Department told AFP that it had activated emergency protocols to deal with ” a high number of critical patients “.” We can confirm that multiple people are being guided and assisted at multiple locations and that additional staff have been requested to respond to this situation. “, she added.

This case comes as a public inquiry takes place across the country, in eastern Canada, in Nova Scotia. In April 2020, a man committed The worst mass murder in Canadian history by killing 22 people. Local police were heavily blamed for their inaction and bungling, which allowed the killer to evade officers for more than 13 hours while wearing a replica police uniform. Two years later, it feels like history is repeating itself…

(and with AFP)