Cold Lake First Nations man killed in RCMP shooting identified by family
Fabian Skani, a member of Cold Lake First Nations, was tragically shot and killed by Alberta RCMP over the weekend. His brother, Farron Atkinson, identified him as the victim of the incident, stating that Skani was in the process of rebuilding his life when the shooting occurred.
The incident took place in Cold Lake, Alberta, where two RCMP officers responded to reports of an attempted stabbing. The officers used lethal force when attempting to arrest Skani, who was reportedly armed with an edged weapon. Despite being taken to the hospital, Skani succumbed to his injuries.
Atkinson shared that he had recently seen his brother, as he had given Skani a ride from Edmonton to Cold Lake just a week before the tragic event. While Skani had faced challenges such as addiction, he was determined to find a new place to live and start fresh.
As a Sixties Scoop survivor, Skani’s death has left his family and community in shock. The Chief of Cold Lake First Nations, Kelsey Jacko, expressed devastation over the loss and emphasized the need for accountability in the investigation. With calls for change in policing practices and support for Skani’s loved ones, the community is mourning the loss of one of their own.
The Assembly of First Nations recently called for a national inquiry into systemic racism in policing following the deaths of several First Nations individuals in interactions with law enforcement. Skani’s death adds to the urgency of addressing these issues and ensuring that such tragedies do not continue to occur.
In response to the incident, community members have begun to leave flowers at the site where Skani was shot, with plans to create a permanent memorial in his honor. Atkinson, determined to seek justice for his brother and others who have been affected by similar incidents, is committed to advocating for change and greater accountability in law enforcement practices.
