Police on Haida Gwaii arrest man in suspected hit-and-run homicide
Police on Haida Gwaii have made an arrest in what police believe was a targeted hit-and-run on the afternoon of April 22.
The victim, Luke Pearson, was struck by a vehicle in the 200 block of Front Street in Skidegate and died later of his injuries.
A 32-year-old Skidegate man has been arrested, according to Daajing Giids RCMP.
Pearson, who was Haida, was identified as kind, generous and caring in a statement released by the Council of the Haida Nation.
The statement urges residents to offer support to Pearson's family and to share information with police.
The Skidegate Band Council imposed a curfew on all Skidegate Indian Reserves from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. on the day Pearson was killed, citing an "emergency situation."
In the time between the crash and the arrest, community members took to social media, questioning the RCMP's handling of the case.
In a statement, Daajing Giids RCMP Detachment Commander Sgt. Chris Manseau says at no time did police feel there was a greater risk to the community.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
01-05-2025
- CBC
First Nations community banishes members, demolishes homes after targeted hit and run death
Indigenous groups across B.C. rally and shun suspect's family as they leave Haida Gwaii Family members of a man charged with second-degree murder in what police say was a targeted hit and run death on Haida Gwaii are being shunned in First Nations communities throughout B.C. Though police and the Council of the Haida Nation have encouraged the protests to cease, those taking part say they want to send a message about violence in their communities. The victim in the case is 32-year-old Luke Pearson, born and raised in Skidegate, a Haida Gwaii village of about 700 people. RCMP say he was hit and killed on April 22 on Front Street, in what appeared to be a targeted attack with a vehicle. In a statement posted by Pearson's family, he is described as a "proud uncle, loyal friend, a devoted and caring son, brother, and cousin, and loving partner," a marine mechanic and avid outdoorsman born and raised in Skidegate. "He proudly and humbly lived a peaceful and honest life," the post says. "His life was stolen by evil people in a senseless act with no reason, and our hearts are forever broken." Haida Gwaii man charged in suspected hit-and-run homicide Police say fatal hit and run on Haida Gwaii was targeted Two days after the death, RCMP said they had arrested 32-year-old Skidegate resident Tyson Young, who was charged with second-degree murder. Young's next court appearance is May 28. Now, individuals associated with Young, some of whom have been identified as his family members, have met with protesters along the highway as much as 800 kilometres away after leaving Skidegate and heading east to Prince George and beyond. In Facebook videos, individuals can be seen lined up in multiple communities along Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George with signs reading "#Justice4Luke." Other videos show individuals following the vehicles, sometimes for hours at a time, as they drive along the highway. A widely shared social media post encourages businesses not to provide them with services along the way. And at least two homes have also been demolished in Skidegate, which were apparently occupied by Young and his family, with a video showing members of the community lining up to witness the destruction, praying and taking part by throwing rocks through windows. Skidegate Band Council has declined to comment until after Pearson's funeral, but B.C. Assembly of First Nations Chief Terry Teegee says the decision to destroy the homes and ask the family to leave was made by leadership in an attempt to deal with ongoing issues in the community associated with drug dealing. He said the incident has hit a nerve because of the number of small Indigenous communities struggling with drug deaths and few resources. "I think it's indicative of the frustration that many administrations, chiefs and councils, governing bodies have with the situation with toxic drugs and what it's doing to our First Nations communities," he said. Provincial numbers show First Nations are more than six times more likely to die from a toxic drug overdose than other people in the province, and several have declared a state of emergency, calling for help from other levels of government. "This is a crisis," he said. 'People had enough' Among those to take part in the demonstrations were Caroline Hall of the Witset First Nation and Smogelgem (Warner Naziel), a hereditary chief of the Wet'suwet'en Nation, who spoke to CBC News from their home in Witset, about 300 kilometres northwest of Prince George. They said they became aware of the incident through friends and family on Haida Gwaii and were told Pearson's death was a result of drug dealers in the community and that the individuals on the road had been banished as a result. "They [drug dealers] harmed a lot of people over the years, so that people had enough," Smogelgem said. "And all the communities, up and down the highway, can relate to that. We know how it feels to bury our young people. And it's happening far too often, and this movement just really caught the hearts of so many of our communities because we don't want to be burying our people anymore." He said the demonstrations and decision to shun those associated with Young is part of a practice that dates back to pre-colonial times, when members who broke rules would be exiled and could not be helped by neighbouring communities. "They're not allowed to give them food, not allowed to take care of them or house them. They're expected to pass through the territory and continue on," he said. "We're upholding our old laws." He said it felt necessary to return to these customs because the current system of laws and government has failed to stop the crisis. "The channels that we are expecting to do something about this aren't," he said. "The system is not interested in taking care of us, so we have to take care of ourselves." Ellis Ross, MP-elect for the region that includes Haida Gwaii and former chief councillor of the Haisla Nation, posted to Facebook that he believes a sea-change could be underway as a result of the demonstrations. "We might be on the edge of something historic because it is First Nations and Haida people who have started this, saying enough is enough," he said in a video. RCMP, Haida Nation ask for patience Ross, however, also said police should be allowed to continue their investigation and RCMP have asked for the protests and targeting of the individuals to stop, saying some of the behaviour is "bordering on criminal harassment." "To be clear, there is one person who is alleged to have committed a crime, and their family should not be persecuted for those allegations," said Sgt. Kris Clark with B.C. RCMP. "There's a process in place that needs to move forward, and that court process will continue." WATCH | 'I have never seen it before in my lifetime,' Ross says of Skidegate banishment: Media Video | 'I have never seen it before in my lifetime' MP-elect says of family banished after targeted death Caption: MP-elect Ellis Ross, former chief councillor of the Haisla Nation, says he believes there could be a fundamental shift in how First Nations communities deal with crime after a family was banished from Haida Gwaii following what police say was a targeted hit-and-run death. Open Full Embed in New Tab Loading external pages may require significantly more data usage than loading CBC Lite story pages. The Council of the Haida Nation has also put out a statement thanking neighbouring communities for their support and reminding people to "walk softly while the emotions are still raw." "Right now, what we need is to focus on healing and love," the statement reads. "Get off social media. Go outside and enjoy nature and its healing power. Jump in the ocean. Wash off the bad energy." The Nation says it is supportive of the RCMP's efforts to investigate Pearson's death.
CBC
30-04-2025
- CBC
#Justice4Luke movement highlights issue of drugs, violence in First Nations communities
Social Sharing The murder of a Haida Gwaii man in what police say was a targeted hit and run has set off a provincewide movement across British Columbia, drawing attention to the issue of drugs and violence in First Nations communities. On April 23, RCMP say Luke Pearson was hit and killed on Front Street in Skidegate, a village of about 700 people. Days later, they had arrested 32-year-old Skidegate resident Tyson Young in connection with the death, and he was charged with second-degree murder. Now, individuals associated with Young who have apparently left the community have been met with protesters along the way, some of whom have been identified as his family members. In Facebook videos, individuals holding signs can be seen lined up along Highway 16 between Prince Rupert and Prince George with signs reading "#Justice4Luke." Other videos show individuals following the vehicles. There is also a social media post circulating encouraging businesses not to provide them with services along the way. Among those to take part in the demonstrations were Caroline Hall of the Witset First Nation and Smogelgem (Warner Naziel), a hereditary chief of the Wet'suwet'en Nation, who spoke to CBC News from their home in Witset, about 300 kilometres northwest of Prince George. They said they became aware of the incident through friends and family on Haida Gwaii and were told Pearson's death was as a result of drug dealers in the community and that the individuals on the road had been banished as a result. "They [drug dealers] harmed a lot of people over the years, so that people had enough," Smogelgem said. "And all the communities, up and down the highway, can relate to that. We know how it feels to bury our young people. And it's happening far too often, and this movement just really caught the hearts of so many of our communities because we don't want to be burying our people anymore." RCMP, however, have asked for the protests and targeting of the individuals to stop. "To be clear, there is one person who is alleged to have committed a crime, and their family should not be persecuted for those allegations," said Sgt. Kris Clark with B.C. RCMP. "There's a process in place that needs to move forward, and that court process will continue." CBC News has reached out to the Skidegate Band Council, but they have declined to speak to the issue until after Pearson's memorial. The Council of the Haida Nation has also put out a statement thanking neighbouring communities for their support and reminding people to "walk softly while the emotions are still raw." "Right now, what we need is to focus on healing and love," the statement reads. "Get off social media. Go outside and enjoy nature and its healing power. Jump in the ocean. Wash off the bad energy." The Nation has also said it is supportive of the RCMP's efforts to investigate Pearson's death. In a statement posted by Pearson's family, he is described as a "proud uncle, loyal friend, a devoted and caring son, brother, and cousin, and loving partner." The statement says he was born and raised in Skidegate and worked as a marine mechanic. "He proudly and humbly lived a peaceful and honest life," the post says. "His life was stolen by evil people in a senseless act with no reason, and our hearts are forever broken."
The Province
26-04-2025
- The Province
'Senseless act': Haida Gwaii community mourns Skidegate man killed in homicide
Luke Pearson died after he was hit by a vehicle in what police describe as a "targeted attack." File photo: An RCMP cruiser PNG The community of Skidegate in Haida Gwaii is in mourning after a man was killed Tuesday in what has been described as a 'senseless act' of violence. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Luke Pearson was hit by a vehicle on Front Street just after 1:15 p.m. on April 22. He later died from his injuries. RCMP called the incident a 'targeted attack' and, on Friday, announced that Tyson Young, 32, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection to the pedestrian death. Pearson, a marine mechanic, was remembered by family as a hardworking and meticulous worker, a 'strong, kind and gentle protector,' who loved fishing, learning how to build and fix things, and was looking forward to softball season. 'He proudly and humbly lived a peaceful and honest life. He worked hard for this life and had a very bright future he was excited for,' said a family statement issued on Friday. 'His life was stolen by evil people in a senseless act with no reason, and our hearts are forever broken.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Pearson, a member of the Juus Eagle clan, was born and raised in Skidegate, a small community on the southeast coast of Graham Island, the largest island of the Haida Gwaii archipelago. 'He loved his home more than anything,' said his family. And the community loved him back, with tributes of sorrow and remembrance pouring in on social media, but also anger toward the person or people responsible. Many businesses and stores, including restaurants, a car shop, a taxi and shuttle company, and a bookstore, have taken a stance, saying they will not serve people who were involved in Pearson's death. 'We are heartbroken for Luke's family, friends, and the community,' said Which 3rd Avenue Books. 'We stand with you all as we grieve.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Daajing Giids RCMP said it was aware of social media posts questioning the investigation's timeline. Sgt. Chris Manseau said investigators have been working diligently the last few days to talk to witnesses and gather evidence. He said their goal was a successful prosecution, not just an arrest. 'From the outset of this collision this was investigated as a targeted attack, and at no time did the Daajing Giids RCMP feel there was a risk to the greater community or its members,' he said on Friday. Hours later, police announced Young had been charged with murder. His next court date is scheduled on May 28 at Prince Rupert provincial court. Daajing Giids RCMP said anyone who has information about the case should contact them at 250-559-4421. chchan@ Read More
