Home » RCMP Issue Several Dangerous Person Alerts in Three Separate Incidents in Three Days

RCMP Issue Several Dangerous Person Alerts in Three Separate Incidents in Three Days

by Jocelyn Ottenbreit

One of the worst mass killings in Canadian history occurred on Sunday, September 4 in Saskatchewan.


Local RCMP received multiple calls about several stabbings at different locations from James Smith Cree Nation in the early morning of September 4th. RCMP issued a dangerous persons alert at 7:12 am asking residents in nearby communities to seek immediate shelter, use caution and alert authorities if they are spotted.


They began their search for two suspects who were later identified as brothers, Damien Sanderson, 31, and Myles Sanderson, 30 and believed they were travelling in a car, notifying neighbouring authorities of the situation in Manitoba and Alberta.


RCMP reported details of the fatalities that afternoon; 10 people were dead and 15 injured in 13 different locations across James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon. They believed the suspects were travelling in a black Nissan Rogue with Saskatchewan license plate 119 MPI and then spotted in the Regina area.


Local RCMP, police and the government of Saskatchewan have collaborated and according to a statement, activated provincial command, increasing security at area hospitals.


On the afternoon of Monday, September 5, Saskatchewan RCMP updated the public that the number of people injured had increased from 15 to 19 injured, 11 deaths and 13 crime scenes. Saskatchewan RCMP commanding officer Rhonda Blackmore confirmed in a statement that same afternoon that one of the suspects in the stabbings, Damien Sanderson, was found dead in a heavily grassed area near a home that was being examined in the James Smith Cree Nation. His injuries were not believed to be self-inflicted, and the cause of death will be determined in conjunction with the Saskatchewan Coroner’s office with a date and time to be determined.


She also stated that Myles Sanderson may have sustained injuries, although not confirmed, and wants the public to be aware as he may seek medical attention and is still considered armed and dangerous. Myles has a lengthy criminal record involving both persons and property crimes and is facing three counts of first-degree murder and is wanted. She also urged the public to not approach this individual and if you anyone knows his whereabouts to immediately call 911.


Myles Sanderson is 6’1” and 200 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. (SEE PICTURE ABOVE)


The leaders of James Smith Cree Nation have declared a state of emergency which is expected to last until Sept. 30.


Around noon on Tuesday, September 6, an emergency alert was updated stating investigators received reports of a possible sighting in James Smith Cree Nation of suspect Myles Sanderson and that RCMP were responding. A few hours later another alert was issued by Melfort RCMP stating that further investigation determined that Myles Sanderson was not located in the James Smith Cree Nation community and continue to search for him, urging the public to take appropriate precautions.

Saskatchewan RCMP, along with the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service, and the families of the deceased victims, released the names of the people who died as a result of the September 4, 2022, stabbings on James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon, Saskatchewan. They will not be identifying or confirming any relationships of the individuals identified. 

23-year-old Thomas Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan

46-year-old Carol Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan

28-year-old Gregory Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan

61-year-old Lydia Gloria Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan

48-year-old Bonnie Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan

66-year-old Earl Burns of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan

49-year-old Lana Head of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan

54-year-old Christian Head of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan

49-year-old Robert Sanderson of James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan

78-year-old Wesley Petterson of Weldon, Saskatchewan

Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to all the families and loved ones impacted by this terrible tragedy.

Second Dangerous Person Alert by Spiritwood RCMP


A shooting incident at Witchekan Lake First Nation led Spiritwood RCMP to issue another dangerous person alert to the public on Monday, September 5th.


The province-wide alert was cancelled when one of the suspects, Kelly Witchekan, was arrested in Saskatoon that evening and the focus changed to the First Nation, located approximately 165 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon.


RCMP are still searching for Melvin Starblanket, 33, described as five feet nine inches tall and about 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes, and has connections to Witchekan Lake First Nation.


Police are asking for help in locating Starblanket and say the alert could be reinstated if there’s a heightened risk to the public.
RCMP don’t believe the shooting at Witchekan Lake First Nation relates to the fatal stabbings at Weldon and James Smith Cree Nation.

If anyone has any information regarding the whereabouts of Starblanket, please call police or Crime Stoppers.

ABOVE: Police are still on the look out for Melvin Starblanket with connections to a shooting at Witchekan Lake First Nation on Monday, September 5th. RCMP

Emergency Alert by Maidstone RCMP Tuesday Morning

A third emergency alert was issued by Maidstone RCMP at 7am on Tuesday morning, September 6, when shots were fired inside a house in the RM of Brittania, asking residents to seek shelter.


The alert stated the vehicle involved in the shooting is a black, newer model Ford Mustang.


The same vehicle was suspected of shots fired at a residence in Lloydminster, as well as an attempted fuel theft in the RM of Brittania, according to RCMP.


Residents in the area were asked to seek immediate shelter, not to approach the suspicious person/s or leave a secure location, not to pick up hitchhikers and to report sighting of the vehicle to 9-1-1.


These incidents were also not believed to be related to the James Smith Cree Nation investigation.

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