Author of the article: Alec Salloum • Regina Leader-Post
Publication date: Sep 07, 2022 • 45 min ago • 6 min read • Join the discussion RCMP at the scene on Highway 11 after the arrest of Myles Sanderson on September 7th. Photo by Michelle Berg/Saskatoon StarPhoenix

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Four days of tension marked by emergency alerts gave way to relief and surprise Wednesday as a manhunt that gripped the province ended with the death of Myles Sanderson, wanted in Saskatchewan’s largest mass murder.

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Around 3:30 p.m., RCMP issued an alert saying the 32-year-old man had been taken into custody. Then, hours later, sources confirmed — and the RCMP later announced — that the man wanted after Sunday’s knife attack that left 10 dead and 18 injured on the James Smith Cree Nation and the nearby village of Weldon had died . We deliver the local news you need in these hectic times weekdays at 3pm By clicking the subscribe button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

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“Our province is breathing a collective sigh of relief,” Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, commander of the Saskatchewan RCMP, said at a press conference late Wednesday night. “I can confirm that he is no longer a threat and there is no risk to the public associated with this investigation.” In addition to the 10 people killed on Sunday, Damien Sanderson – Myles’ brother – was found dead on Monday in the James Smith Cree Nation. RCMP said he had visible injuries consistent with self-inflicted injury. Police earlier this week would not confirm or deny that Miles was a suspect in Damien’s death, saying it was an avenue they were investigating.

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Before the news of Miles Sanderson’s death, some victims’ families took comfort that he was in custody and no longer a danger to them or anyone else. “It’s a huge relief,” said Darryl Burns, whose sister Gloria was among the dead. Added Herbert Burns: “Nobody’s going to get hurt anymore.” RCMP on scene on Highway 11 after the arrest of Miles Sanderson North of Saskatoon. Sanderson was arrested by police on Highway 11 north of Saskatoon after police pulled over a stolen truck and forced it off the road. He later suffered a medical problem and was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A source close to the investigation said police believe Sanderson took drugs before he was arrested and overdosed while in custody. He was alive when he was captured and then fell into distress.

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Blackmore said RCMP members did what they could for Sanderson until EMS arrived. “All the life-saving measures we are able to take were taken at that time until EMS arrived,” he said. Police say a knife was found in the truck, but an initial search found no drugs in the vehicle or in Sanderson’s possession. Sanderson was charged with three counts of murder, attempted murder and breaking and entering. RCMP previously said more charges were possible as the investigation continues. Damien Sanderson was also facing murder charges related to the murders. According to Blackmore, all the evidence gathered so far points to Myles alone being “responsible,” but Damien is still facing charges at this time.

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“Our indications at this point were that it was Miles Sanderson,” he said. “Our research, as I said, continues to evolve.” Miles is believed to have been injured during the manhunt, but police were unable to confirm that detail. Asked if Sanderson had help during the four-day manhunt, Blackmore said investigators “will certainly be looking at all those avenues to determine if there was anyone helping him.” After eluding arrest since Sunday, police responded to a report of a stolen truck and a person with a knife just after 2 a.m. Wednesday in Wakaw. RCMP arrested Miles Sanderson on Highway 11, north of Saskatoon, less than two hours later. Photo by Michelle Berg/Saskatoon StarPhoenix With Damien and Myles dead, Blackmore admitted that there may never be answers to why the murders happened and that “we may never understand that motive. Police have conducted more than 150 interviews with witnesses and more are expected. Blackmore said she understands that with the international attention this manhunt has garnered, there is a public desire for answers, but that may never happen.

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“Witnesses and people around him have so much information. His motive can, at this time and forever, be known only to Miles,” he said. Blackmore said the RCMP’s work “doesn’t stop here,” noting that the sheer number of interviews that will be conducted will be “beneficial to us in solving this problem.” He said he was in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon earlier Wednesday and remarked on the “generosity and support” he saw in those communities. He wants to be able to provide a further timeline and better understanding of the events of the past four days, but said police can do that without releasing every word from the interviews. “We would not release these interviews. When we interview these people, they relive that trauma and you can imagine how they would feel to see their words in the media,” he said.

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After the arrest, an ambulance with a police escort was seen running south on Highway 11 and later on Saskatoon’s Idylwyld Drive at the intersection of 33rd Street. Photo by Michelle Berg/Saskatoon StarPhoenix Police had searched for Miles Sanderson in several communities, including the James Smith Cree Nation and Regina. Blackmore on Wednesday night said investigators were “hoping to piece together the timeline of where he was as of Sunday.” On Wednesday, RCMP responded around 2:10 p.m. to a report of a stolen truck in Wakaw and a person with a knife. According to RCMP in an emergency alert sent just before 3 p.m., police said they believe “this may be related” to the investigation. The individual was traveling in a white 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche that was last seen on Wakaw’s Cemetery Road. About an hour later, a stream of police vehicles in and around Saskatoon and Highway 11 were spotted traveling at high speeds. The stolen vehicle was forced off the road into a ditch and at 3:30 p.m., Miles Sanderson was taken into custody near Rostern, RCMP said.

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The RCMP has asked the Saskatoon Police Service and the Saskatchewan Incident Response Team to conduct an investigation into his death. An independent observer appointed by the Ministry of Justice was also requested. “I expect there will be criticisms, but I can’t speak to exactly what they are,” Blackmore said. A police pursuit of the stolen vehicle, a white 2008 Chevrolet Avalanche, is believed to have led to Sanderson’s arrest about 40km west of Wakaw, less than 1.5 hours after the tip was reported. Photo by Michelle Berg/Saskatoon StarPhoenix Before Sanderson’s death was reported, the FSIN expressed relief that the wanted man was in custody. “To the men and women in uniform who worked day and night to track down and arrest this dangerous criminal, thank you. The healing process is starting,” FSIN said in a statement. Premier Scott Moe said on Twitter that the people of Saskatchewan owe police and first responders “a great debt of gratitude.

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“To the men and women in uniform who worked day and night to track down and arrest this dangerous criminal, thank you.” Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand said victims and those affected will need continued support. “We are relieved that Sanderson has been arrested and the manhunt is over. Now people can start to feel safe again, but now is the time for the healing to begin,” Arcand said in a statement before Sanderson’s death was announced. Opposition Leader Carla Beck also tweeted her relief and hope for a cure. “I feel like a province, we’ve been collectively holding our breath for the last four days.” Sanderson had an extensive criminal record with a history of violence, including making threats to attack or kill members of the James Smith Cree Nation. Among those Sanderson threatened and assaulted was Earl Burns, who was stabbed in 2015 by Sanderson and ultimately killed during Sunday’s rampage.

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