Cold Lake First Nations man killed in RCMP shooting identified by family

Update: In a Dec. 20 news release, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team confirmed it will investigate the use of force by RCMP officers. ASIRT said three officers responded to a 911 call about an altercation between two males and were approached by a man with a knife. One officer shot the man while another used a conducted energy weapon.

ASIRT said it is working to identify witnesses to "the confrontation between the man and police." Anyone with cellphone or dashcam video is asked to contact investigators.

A Cold Lake First Nations man who was shot and killed by Alberta RCMP last weekend has been identified by his family, who say he was trying to rebuild his life when he was killed.

Farron Atkinson identified his brother, Fabian Skani, as the person who was killed in Cold Lake, Alta., 300 kilometres northeast of Edmonton by road, on Saturday. He said his brother was also known by Matthew Atkinson, the name he was given after he was adopted as a child.

The shooting happened near 50th Street and 43rd Avenue, in an area surrounded by several businesses and restaurants.

According to an RCMP statement, two officers responded to reports of an attempted stabbing around 8 p.m. and "used their intervention options, including a firearm," trying to arrest a man who they reported had an "edged weapon."

He was taken to hospital, but he died from his injuries, RCMP said.

Atkinson said he last saw Skani just last week, when he gave him a ride from Edmonton to Cold Lake.

"He was my brother. He was my blood, you know?" he said.

"And whenever he reached out to me, I helped him, we talked. We did lots together when he was around. He was a lovable character."

He said Skani dealt with his share of struggles, including addiction, but he'd been hoping to find a new place to live and rebuild his life.

"We all have our problems. He's a Sixties Scoop survivor just like I am," he said.

"And then all this happened — it doesn't make any sense."

An RCMP statement says the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team will examine the death. ASIRT has yet to issue a statement confirming the investigation.

Chief says change needed

Skani's death comes less than two weeks after the Assembly of First Nations issued a call for a national inquiry into systemic racism in policing, with 10 First Nations people killed after interactions with police from August to November 2024.

Among those was 15-year-old Hoss Lightning, a Samson Cree Nation boy who was fatally shot by RCMP in Wetaskiwin, Alta., on Aug. 30.

On Monday, Cold Lake First Nations Chief Kelsey Jacko said his community is devastated and shocked by "the loss of one of our own."

Cold Lake First Nations has about 3,000 members, with a little less than half living in one of several reserves in northeast Alberta, near the Saskatchewan border.

While Jacko is calling for support for Skani's family and loved ones, he said he will also demand accountability from the investigation.

"I know we've got to carry on, but you know, we need change. This can't be happening all across Canada," Jacko said.

"Our people are dying and that's just not right. There must be a better way to do things."

Over the weekend, people started dropping off flowers in Cold Lake around the spot where Skani was shot.

Atkinson, an ironworker, said he hopes to make a cross as a permanent memorial.

"I've had enough, and my people have had enough. This is my little brother, but I'm not only fighting for him. I'm going to fight for everybody."