Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore. (RCMP/Facebook)

By CKOM News

RCMP says Myles Sanderson killed his brother during rampage

Oct 6, 2022 | 2:54 PM

The investigation into the mass stabbings on the James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon on Sept. 4 has determined one of the suspects killed the other.

During a media conference Thursday, Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore — the commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP — said Myles Sanderson killed his brother, Damien, during the rampage.

“After completing 250 interviews, processing over 670 exhibits (and) reviewing and following up on over 100 9-1-1 calls for service, investigators have determined that Damien Sanderson was a victim of homicide by Myles Sanderson,” Blackmore told reporters. “Myles Sanderson committed all of the homicides alone.”

Ten people — nine on the James Smith Cree Nation and one in Weldon — died in the attacks, which also injured 18 people.

Damien Sanderson was found dead on the James Smith Cree Nation on Sept. 5. Given Blackmore’s comments Thursday, Damien is now considered the 11th murder victim.

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Myles Sanderson was the subject of a provincewide manhunt after the murders.

He was captured by RCMP officers south of Rosthern on Sept. 7, but went into medical distress shortly after his arrest. He was transported to a Saskatoon hospital, where he died.

“All charges related to this investigation have been withdrawn by the Crown following the deaths of Damien and Myles Sanderson,” Blackmore said.

The assistant commissioner said the Sandersons were actively selling drugs in the community Sept. 3 and were involved in at least three violent altercations before the murders.

Damien was involved in the planning and preparation of the rampage, Blackmore said, but the extent of his involvement isn’t known.

Sen. Denise Batters has raised questions about the RCMP’s actions before the attacks, and has called on the federal government to demand answers from the Mounties.

During Thursday’s media conference, Blackmore laid out a partial timeline — including that Damien had stolen a car on the James Smith Cree Nation on Sept. 3 and had provided police with a false identity when he was initially located in a house with two other men.

Blackmore said RCMP officers could only refer to a photo of Damien from 2014 when they were searching for him that night, so they weren’t able to tell he was one of the men in the house.