'They did everything they could': First responder describes chaotic scene during James Smith massacre
CTV
The inquest into the 2022 mass stabbings in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon heard emotional testimony from the first officer to arrive after the killings began.
The inquest into the 2022 mass stabbings in James Smith Cree Nation and Weldon heard emotional testimony from the first officer to arrive after the killings began.
On Wednesday afternoon, RCMP Cst. Tanner Maynard described arriving at the home on Abel McLeod Street where Carol Burns was attacked.
When he entered, he reported seeing Myles Sanderson’s eighth victim Carol Burns on the floor surrounded by blood while a woman performed CPR on her.
Based on the amount and colours of the blood pooling around her and the grey colour of her skin, Maynard said he guessed Carol was already dead, but he encouraged the woman to carry on with the CPR.
“Based on my experience, you always want to provide a family member the opportunity to say they did everything they could for their loved ones,” said Maynard, his voice choking with emotion.
Maynard spoke to the chaotic scene in the community that morning and explained why they used the band office as a safe location to offer medical care while police continued to search for Myles Sanderson.
The young constable said it wasn’t his first time responding to a mass casualty situation – he was also one of the first police officers on scene for the Humboldt Broncos bus crash.
