Canadian authorities have confirmed that one person has died and at least six others were injured in a mass stabbing incident that occurred Thursday in Hollow Water First Nation, a small Indigenous community located about 200km (124 miles) northeast of Winnipeg, Manitoba.
According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the suspect in the attack is also deceased. The incident has been described as a “mass casualty” event.
Emergency services responded swiftly, with eight victims transported to hospital by air and ground ambulance, according to a statement from Shared Health, Manitoba’s provincial health authority. The patients reportedly suffered varying degrees of injury.
STARS Air Ambulance confirmed that it flew two patients from Hollow Water First Nation to Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg on Thursday morning.
At this time, few details have been released about the circumstances of the attack. The RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation and is expected to provide more information during a news conference at 2:00 p.m. local time (19:00 GMT).
Earlier in the day, RCMP advised residents of Hollow Water First Nation to expect a heavy police presence throughout the area. Authorities have since confirmed there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
“Our sincere condolences to everyone within the community of Hollow Water First Nation and to everyone who has been affected by this senseless act of violence,” the RCMP said in a statement.
In a letter to residents, the Hollow Water Chief and Council expressed condolences and support to all those affected by the tragedy.
Hollow Water First Nation is a small Anishinaabe community with a population of a few hundred.
Notably, the incident occurred on the third anniversary of a similar tragedy in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon, Saskatchewan, where a mass stabbing left 11 dead and many more injured. The suspect in that 2022 case died in police custody after a nationwide manhunt.
