By David Stobbe and Rod Nickel

WELDON, Saskatchewan (Reuters) – Two males suspected of killing 10 individuals in a stabbing rampage that devastated an indigenous group in Canada had been at massive on Monday as authorities tried to find out a motive for assaults that shocked a nation the place mass violence is uncommon.

Police launched a manhunt for Damien Sanderson, 31, and Myles Sanderson, 30, after they allegedly stabbed individuals in 13 completely different areas throughout an indigenous group and its surrounding province on Sunday. At the very least 15 others had been wounded.

The assaults in Saskatchewan province had been among the many deadliest in Canada’s trendy historical past. An announcement by indigenous leaders indicated they could have been drug associated. Police stated among the victims appeared to have been focused, whereas others had been apparently random. (Graphic: https://tmsnrt.rs/3cKaBP0)

Police are anticipated to offer an replace at 12:30 p.m. EDT (1630 GMT). The suspects had been final seen touring in a black Nissan (OTC:) Rogue and noticed on Sunday within the metropolis of Regina, about 320 km (200 miles) south of the assaults within the James Smith Cree (NYSE:) Nation and the village of Weldon, police stated.

In an replace on Monday morning, police stated the suspects had been nonetheless at massive and urged residents to name authorities if they’d data that might assist in monitoring the 2 males.

Doreen Lees, 89, stated she and her daughter had been sitting on their porch in Weldon on Sunday morning when a darkish SUV shortly sped previous, an uncommon sight within the small village.

Shortly after, a person approached them saying he was damage, Lees stated, including that he stood round 10 ft away and had his face coated. Her daughter ran inside to name police. However then the person took off, she stated.

“On the time the particular person did not make us really feel nervous. We simply thought he was damage and he wanted some assist,” Lees stated. “However he did not cease and await the assistance, then we questioned ‘What’s going on right here?'”

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY

Indigenous individuals account for lower than 5% of Canada’s inhabitants of about 38 million and undergo from increased ranges of poverty and unemployment than different Canadians and still have a shorter life expectancy.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated his authorities had been in direct communication with the James Smith Cree Nation management, including, “we’re prepared to help in any means we will.”

James Smith Cree Nation is an indigenous group with a inhabitants of about 3,400 individuals largely engaged in farming, searching and fishing. Weldon is a village of some 200 individuals.

Residents of Weldon recognized 77-year-old Wes Petterson, a widower, as one of many victims of the stabbing. Lana Head, a mom of two, had additionally been killed, her former companion stated.

The suspects had been probably in Regina, town’s police chief, Evan Bray, stated in a Twitter (NYSE:) video late on Sunday. However authorities have warned it was not clear the place they is perhaps headed or if they’d modified automobiles.

The 2 males share the identical final title but it surely was not clear if they’re associated or come from the identical group.

Police bulletins urged individuals to take precautions together with sheltering in place, whereas warning towards choosing up hitchhikers or approaching suspicious individuals.

“Don’t go away a safe location. Use warning permitting others into your residence,” one advisory stated.