A small Haida village is in mourning following death of 29-year-old Luke Pearson, who, according to the RCMP, died from his injuries after being hit by a vehicle.
According to the Daajing Giids (Queen Charlotte) RCMP, they received a report of a pedestrian-involved collision in the 200 block of Front Street in Skidegate, a section of waterfront road near a cemetery. Police say a man was struck by a vehicle around 1:17 p.m. on April 22 and later died of his injuries.
“The investigation is in its infancy but police believe this was a targeted incident,” said Staff Sergeant Kris Clark of the B.C. RCMP in an April 22 statement. “We are asking anyone with any information to speak with police rather than post to social media.”
Over the next two days, the RCMP issued two more statements naming Tyson Young, a 32-year-old Skidegate man, as the person they arrested in their investigation into what they call a targeted attack on Pearson, who is also from Skidegate.
Skidegate is a Haida community on the southeast side of Graham Island, located about 50 kilometers from the British Columbia mainland. Its population is similar to that of Ahousaht, hovering around 1000.
The Council of Haida Nation and Skidegate Band released a joint statement on April 24, reassuring the community that they are working with the RCMP in their investigation and asking witnesses to contact the RCMP with information.
They went on to ask the community to support the family of Pearson.
“At this time, please focus on supporting the family and one another while remembering all the goodness of Luke. To all who knew Luke, he was a kind, generous, caring and innocent Haida man,” wrote the organizations.
On April 29, social media live feeds lit up as videos appeared showing the demolition of two side-by-side houses in Skidegate. Earlier that day, more video showed about five vehicles leaving Skidegate on a ferry destined for Prince Rupert. The group of people in the vehicles are said to be connected to Tyson Young. It was rumoured that they may go to Port Alberni on Vancouver Island.
Throughout the night more videos appeared on social media, showing people from First Nations communities along Highway 16 watching for the group of vehicles. As the convoy passed, they were met with protesters waving placards, demanding justice for Luke.
A statement by Tseshaht First Nation was posted to Facebook on April 30.
“Tseshaht First Nation has been informed of individuals from another Nation who may be of concern and rumours of them coming to our territory in Port Alberni,” stated tha Tseshaht, adding that they are gathering information and will act accordingly.
Tseshaht asked its people to be patient and to carry themselves with iisaak (respect). They offered prayers for the Haida Gwaii victim and his family.
It is not known where the group traveling from Skidegate are or where they are going.
Chief William Yovanovich has asked for private time as the community mourns and the family lays to rest their loved one.
