RCMP confirmed Miles Sanderson was in medical danger after his arrest near Rostern, Sask., and was pronounced dead at hospital. No other details were released about how Sanderson died. The results of the autopsy will not be released, officials added, citing the ongoing investigation. A knife was found in the vehicle Sanderson was driving when he was arrested, but none of his accomplices were with him.
Saskatchewan RCMP on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of Miles Sanderson, a suspect in one of the worst mass murders in Canadian history, following an intense four-day investigation that drew national and international attention. Police later confirmed that Sanderson was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after the arrest. Global News first reported Sanderson’s death citing multiple law enforcement sources who believed he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. “This afternoon, our province can breathe a sigh of relief,” Saskatchewan RCMP Commander Rhonda Blackmore said Wednesday night. Story continues below ad Sanderson, who was facing multiple charges in connection with a series of fatal stabbings Sunday, was arrested around 3:30 p.m. local time near Rosthern, a town north of Saskatoon and more than 100 kilometers southwest of the James Smith Cree Nation, where many of the attacks took place. Saskatchewan RCMP at the scene near Rosthern, Sask, where Myles Sanderson was arrested. World News/ Tanner Chubey Multiple law enforcement sources tell Global News that police used a “pursuit intervention technique” — hitting Sanderson’s vehicle on one side and causing it to veer off the highway. Blackmore said the vehicle “went off the road and into a nearby ditch,” where officers were able to identify Sanderson as the driver. A knife was found inside the vehicle after his arrest. “Shortly after his arrest, he went into medical trouble,” Blackmore said, and “every life-saving measure that we are able to do was taken.” He was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, he added. Story continues below ad The Saskatchewan RCMP has requested an independent investigation into Sanderson’s arrest and death. The results of the upcoming autopsy will not be released, RCMP said, citing the ongoing investigation. An emergency alert went out Wednesday afternoon saying a person who may be connected to the stabbings was seen driving in the Wakaw area in a white 2008 Chevy Avalanche that was reported stolen from the city. Wakaw is less than 50km east of Rosthern. Blackmore said the truck was seen speeding through Rostern by an RCMP officer shortly before it was spotted on the road outside the city, where it was arrested. Videos taken from the scene of the takedown showed a white truck on the side of the road, surrounded by about a dozen RCMP vehicles while a helicopter hovered overhead. 0:48 Saskatchewan stabbings: Police cars surround Miles Sanderson during arrest, video shows Saskatchewan stabbings: Police cars surround Miles Sanderson during arrest, video shows Read more: Saskatchewan stabbing: What happened in a 4-day manhunt read more
Saskatchewan stabbing: What happened in 4-day manhunt
Story continues below ad RCMP said Monday that Sanderson has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of breaking and entering a dwelling in connection with the stabbings. Trending Stories
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Ten people were killed and 18 others injured in the rampage at 13 crime scenes on the James Smith Cree Nation and the nearby village of Weldon. Damien Sanderson, Miles’ brother and also a suspect in the attacks, was later found dead at the reserve with injuries that police said were not believed to be self-inflicted – suggesting he may have been attacked by Miles. Damien had also been charged. Before news of his death spread, family members of the victims expressed relief that Sanderson had been arrested. “Now people can start to feel safe again, but now is also the time for the healing to begin,” said Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand, who lost his sister and nephew in the attacks. Blackmore said she hoped the families could “take comfort tonight knowing that Miles Sanderson is no longer a threat to them,” but acknowledged that the survivors had “a very long and extensive” healing process. “Some of them have witnessed incredible trauma, so hopefully this is the first step to start that healing process, that grieving process,” he said. Story continues below ad Police and investigators are seen on the side of the road outside Rosthern, Sask., Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. RCMP say Myles Sanderson, a suspect in a fatal stabbing northeast of Saskatoon over the weekend, has been taken into custody near the town of Rosthern on the fourth day of a massive manhunt. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kelly Geraldine Malone. DPi The Saskatchewan health authority noted Wednesday that 10 people remain in hospital with injuries, two in critical condition. Miles Sanderson’s arrest came after an extensive manhunt that brought in additional resources from neighboring Alberta and Manitoba. A dangerous persons alert covering Saskatchewan was extended to those provinces due to fears that Sanderson may have fled there. Blackmore said more than 160 officers from all three provincial RCMP detachments, as well as local police forces, were involved in the investigation. Early information brought the fugitives to Regina, prompting local police to sweep across the city during the busy Labor Day holiday weekend — including a sold-out Saskatchewan Roughriders game. A reported sighting of Sanderson on the James Smith Cree Nation on Tuesday led to a three-and-a-half-hour police operation that shut down the entire reservoir as officers searched for him, only to come up empty. Story continues below ad
Read more: Stabbing in Saskatchewan: Here are the names of all the victims of the tragedy
According to Crime Stoppers, Myles was wanted for being illegally at large before the stabbings. Global News reported Monday the Parole Board of Canada found in February that Miles would not “present an unreasonable risk” and that his release would “contribute to the protection of society” by facilitating his reintegration. He had a long criminal history. The stabbings and ensuing manhunt sent shockwaves across Saskatchewan and the rest of the country, with flags on provincial and federal buildings flying at half-mast in honor of the victims. World leaders also condemned the attacks and expressed condolences and support to Canada. An online fundraiser for the victims and their families closed Tuesday after surpassing its $100,000 goal. —With files from Mercedes Stephenson 1:06 Saskatchewan stabbing: Victim’s brother Bonnie Burns says family remains strong amid tragedy Previous Video Next Video © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
