James Smith attacks: Investigation into killer's arrest and death begins | Knife attacks in Saskatchewan

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Eleven people died the day of the attacks, and 17 others were injured by Myles Sanderson. (Archive photo)

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A new investigation opens Monday into the stabbing attacks that occurred on September 4, 2022 in Saskatchewan. Almost a month after the end of a first investigation into the victims and the means to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again, the one which begins this week will look into the arrest and death of the killer, Myles Sanderson.

He stabbed 11 people and injured 17 others in the James Cree Nation Smith and in the neighboring village of Weldon. This is the worst stabbing attack in Canadian history.

S&# x27;this was followed by a three-day manhunt.

During this period, the fugitive took refuge in a rudimentary camp. which he himself built near the village of Wakaw, about 90 km from Saskatoon.

Three days After the attacks, law enforcement spotted a stolen vehicle in which Myles Sanderson was traveling near the village of Rosthern, 66 km northeast of Saskatoon.

Knife attacks in Saskatchewan

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When the fugitive refused to stop, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers used the induced immobilization technique, which precipitated the vehicle into the ditch.

Several police officers from the Royal Gendarmerie of Canada contributed to the arrest of Myles Sanderson. (File photo)

At the time of his arrest, Myles Sanderson collapsed after ;#x27;being found in a state of respiratory distress.

Paramedics then began providing medical support before taking him to the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where he was pronounced dead.

Under the Coroners Act, an inquest must be held when a person dies while in custody, unless the Chief Coroner considers that the latter died naturally and that this death was inevitable.

Through the investigation which begins on Monday , the jury members will have to determine the cause of death of Myles Sanderson, in addition to confirming the place and time of his death. They will also be able to make recommendations to prevent a similar death from happening again.

“Impulsive, irritable and remorseless”: this is how Matt Logan, criminal investigations psychologist, described Myles Sanderson at the coroner’s inquest held last January. (File photo)

Jurors will be selected at random from a pool of citizens. The Saskatchewan Coroners Office will attempt to have fair representation of Indigenous jurors, as was the case for the coroner's inquest held in January.

During the five days of hearing, the jurors will be able to hear the testimony of the police officers who participated in the arrest of Myles Sanderson, and the forensic doctor who carried out the ' autopsy.

In total, just over 10 witnesses are expected to be heard.

The province's chief coroner, Clive Weighill , admits that knowing about the attacks perpetrated by Myles Sanderson before his death will likely have an impact on this investigation. However, he emphasizes that the investigation carried out in January into the tragedy itself and the one which opens this week relate to two different subjects.

What happened in the James Smith Cree Nation on September 4 was totally different from what happened [to Myles Sanderson] when he died, he recalls. There is a clear separation between these two events.

Taking place at the Saskatoon Inn, in the City of Bridges, this investigation is expected to last all week, concluding on Friday, March 1.

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