Less than an hour before his arrest, authorities sent out an emergency alert about a man armed with a knife driving a stolen white van near Wakaw, about 90 km northeast of Saskatoon.
Around 3:30 pm Saskatchewan time (CST), the vehicle in question was spotted on Highway 11 near the village of Rosthern, 66 km northeast of Saskatoon.
To ensure the safety of other motorists, police officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) drove the vehicle into a ditch. Law enforcement surrounded the vehicle and confirmed that the driver was indeed Miles Sanderson.
Shortly after his arrest, the fugitive found himself in respiratory distress. Paramedics were called to the scene to take him to a Saskatoon hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Saskatoon Police Service will work with the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.
For Saskatchewan RCMP Commanding Officer Rhonda Blackmore, the outcome of the hunt allows the entire province to push on A sigh of relief
He said at a press conference on Wednesday.
However, Commander Blackmore said RCMP still do not know the cause of the 11 deaths and 18 injuries.
Now that Miles Sanderson is dead, we may never understand the motivations behind these attacks
Did she say
Breaking and entering and theft Van
At around 2pm on Wednesday, Miles Sanderson allegedly broke into a woman’s home about 30km northeast of Waka. His son spoke to the CBC.
The CBC has agreed not to release the woman’s name or her son’s name because he is the accused. According to her son, the woman is still in shock.
The son says he saw Miles Sanderson walking toward the locked front door of his home. Mom would have quickly taken refuge in her bedroom bathroom, locking both rooms with keys.
Miles Sanderson reportedly broke down all of those doors while trying to contact police on his cell phone.
According to the son’s account, the fugitive was armed with a knife, but said he did not intend to use it.
Later, Miles Sanderson took the keys to the woman’s van and her cell phone.
According to the son, the fugitive asked the woman to follow him, but the latter refused, fearing he would kill her.
Authorities were eventually notified by a relative of the woman who was able to be contacted by landline.
Commander Rhonda Blackmore confirmed the details of the break-in and theft of the van.
As of Sunday, investigators said RCMP Conducted more than 150 interviews with witnesses and victims. Eleven emergency alerts were sent to the public.
Autopsies on the victims should be completed by the end of the week. However, the details of these autopsies will not be made public due to the ongoing investigation.
In a statement released in Vancouver Wednesday evening, Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino first thanked the RCMP for mobilizing all of its services over the past few days. This is a very difficult time for everyone living in the James Smith Cree Nation, Saskatchewan and across the country. Our thoughts are with them.
When asked about the circumstances of Miles Sanderson’s death, Marco Mendicino told reporters that multiple investigations are underway, led by Saskatoon police.
Until the fog is lifted regarding the circumstances of the fugitive’s death, priority is given to the families of the victims’ relatives, Marco Mendicino reiterated.
Relief wave
Many across the province are now relieved that the hunt is over.
This is especially true of Darryl Burns, whose sister was killed in the tragedy. The latter plans to organize a candlelight vigil in honor of the deceased on Wednesday evening.
Same story with the Saskatoon Tribal Council.
We are relieved that Miles Sanderson has been arrested and the manhunt is over.
Mark Arcand, president of the organization, who lost his sister and nephew in the tragedy, says. Now people can start to feel safe again.
” The time has come to heal our wounds. »
Mark Arcand adds that the injured and victims’ relatives will need ongoing support to recover from this trauma.
Bobby Cameron, president of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations of Saskatchewan, points out the many lives Forever changed by this tragedy
.
Our communities can now begin to heal their wounds through our cultural, spiritual and other means
he wrote in a press release.
Dennis Helmuth, mayor of Rosthern, a village 6 km from the arrest site, says his community is breathing a little better this evening.
It’s mostly a feeling of relief, but I’m sure an incredible sadness will take its place when it takes time to realize what has happened in our province.
he said.
On social media, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe offered his congratulations Police officers worked day and night to arrest this dangerous criminal
.
Three vigils in memory of the victims were organized by the University of First Nations at various campuses in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
In the latter city, more than a hundred people came to meditate.
Wally Burns, chief of the James Smith Cree Nation, gave a speech in which he said he believed the events were all a bad dream.
Words cannot express what happened. We are still in shock
Mr. Burns said. Tomorrow we begin our grieving process.
Miles Sanderson had been the subject of a manhunt since Sunday.
He has been charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder and trespassing on private property. Her brother Damien Sanderson, 31, was found dead on Monday.
10 people were killed and 18 injured in this series of attacks.
