Canadian Assistant Police Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said Myles Sanderson had gone into medical distress after being arrested and died in hospital on Wednesday afternoon, per The Washington Post.
Sanderson was arrested earlier on Wednesday after a three-day long manhunt.
“Myles Sanderson was located and taken into police custody near Rosthern, [Saskacthewan], at approximately 3:30 p.m. today,” the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement. “There is no longer a risk to public safety relating to this investigation.”
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they first received a call at 5:40 a.m. on Sunday about a stabbing at the James Smith Cree Nation. Police said there were multiple victims at 13 crime scenes, including in the nearby community of Weldon.
Police identified the two suspects in the mass stabbing spree as brothers Damien Sanderson, 31, and Myles Sanderson, 30.
Damien Sanderson was found dead Monday, and his wounds did not appear to be self-inflicted, The Associated Press reported, citing Regina Police Chief Evan Bray.
Residents in Saskatchewan, Canada, were ordered to shelter in place Tuesday after police received reports Myles Sanderson, who was previously on the run, was spotted at the Indigenous reservation where the violence took place.
RCMP said they believe some victims were targeted at random while others were planned. They also issued a dangerous persons alert asking the public to shelter in place.
There have been “ongoing, relentless efforts through the night by both the RCMP and the Regina Police Service to locate these two individuals.”
—Chief Evan Bray (@evanjbray)
September 5, 2022
In a statement Sunday afternoon, Blackmore said law enforcement is asking residents across Saskatchewan and neighboring provinces to remain vigilant.
“I would like to ask them to turn themselves in to police,” she said.
—RCMP Saskatchewan (@RCMPSK)
September 4, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted Sunday night that the attacks were “horrific and heartbreaking.”
“I’m thinking of those who have lost a loved one and of those who were injured,” he said.
In a press release, leaders of the James Smith Cree Nation declared a state of emergency and opened two emergency operation centers to help provide support to community members.
Police are bringing in investigators to take control of the search, Bray said.
“We will not stop this investigation until we have those two safely in custody,” he added.
Bray said he’s “confident” that “someone out there” has information pertaining to the two suspects and urged anyone who knows something to come forward and help in “bringing about a resolution.”
“There’s a lot of grief, there’s a lot of anxiety in our province and in our communities all day today and yesterday,” Bray said.