One of the two suspects in stabbing attacks in Canada that killed 10 people was found dead, police said Monday.
The body of Damien Sanderson, 31, was found on James Smith Cree Nation in Saskatchewan at 11:30 a.m., said Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Damien Sanderson and Myles Sanderson, his brother, have been named suspects in the stabbing deaths of 10 people that occurred on Sunday.
Myles Sanderson, 30, may be injured but it has not been confirmed, Blackmore told a news conference.
“We want the public to know because he may see a doctor,” she said. “That doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous yet.”
Damien Sanderson had visible injuries that do not appear to have been self-inflicted, Blackmore said. A cause of death will be determined later, she said.
Her body was found “outside in a very grassy area near a house that was being examined,” Blackmore said.
When asked at Monday’s press conference if Myles Sanderson was suspected in her brother’s death, she said investigators could not say.
“We have not confirmed this. We cannot say one way or another if Myles was involved in Damien’s death,” Blackmore said. “It’s a line of inquiry that we are following, but we cannot say definitively at this stage.”
Including Myles Sanderson, 19 people were injured in the attacks, which spanned 13 identified crime scenes, officials said. Their medical conditions were not disclosed. With the discovery of Damien Sanderson’s body, she said, the death toll was 11.
The identities of the dead were not released by police on Monday, but Blackmore said none were infants or children.
The youngest known victim to die was born in 1999, she said, and both men and women have been killed.
James Smith Cree Nation resident Darryl Burns and his brother, Ivor Wayne Burns, said their sister, Gloria Lydia Burns, was a first responder who was killed while trying to answer a call. Burns said her 62-year-old sister was on a crisis response team.
“She phoned a house and she got caught up in the violence,” he said. “She was there to help. She was a heroine. »
Investigators believe some victims may have been targeted and others were randomly attacked, Blackmore said, but an investigation is ongoing.
Investigators believe the 10 people who died before Damien Sanderson’s body was found were stabbed, but are working to confirm this, Blackmore said.
Myles Sanderson may have been spotted in the city of Regina, Sask., after a wanted vehicle was spotted in the city, officials said.
“This is the most recent credible information we have, but it’s also pretty dated,” Regina Police Department Chief Evan Bray said. “And so we can’t say for sure he’s in the community, but we’re operating as if he is.”
Police said the manhunt and investigation of the murders was the highest priority.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the attacks shocking and heartbreaking and said Monday his thoughts and those of all Canadians are with the victims and their loved ones.
“This type of violence, or any other type of violence, has no place in our country,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed.