RCMP to present ‘preliminary timeline’ of James Smith killings

This week, the Saskatchewan RCMP will release more information on the mass killings that left 11 people dead and 18 injured on the James Smith Cree Nation and in Weldon.

On Sept. 4, Myles Sanderson stabbed numerous people to death, including his brother Damien. Sanderson became the subject of a massive manhunt before his arrest three days later. Shortly after his apprehension on the side of a highway near Rosthern, however, Sanderson went into what police called “medical distress” and died.

Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore. (RCMP/Facebook)

Public inquests — one that will examine the murders and the other to examine the death of Sanderson — have been tentatively set for January of 2024.

Clive Weighill, Saskatchewan’s chief coroner, said he was hoping to hold the inquests this spring or summer, but they needed to be pushed back to allow the RCMP to complete its investigation.

On Monday, the RCMP said more details from the investigation will be released at a news conference Thursday in Melfort, specifically a “preliminary timeline.”

The RCMP said the release of the information will fulfil a commitment made by Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, the commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP.

“The information to be released will not impact the two upcoming Saskatchewan Coroners Service Inquests and the independent investigation being conducted by the Saskatoon Police Service and the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team,” the RCMP said in a statement.

The conference — set for Thursday in Melfort — will include remarks from Blackmore, the RCMP said, followed by a presentation of the timeline from Supt. Joshua Graham, officer in charge of Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes, and a question-and-answer session.

The event, which is expected to last for four hours, will also be streamed live to the Saskatchewan RCMP’s Facebook pages, the police service added.