It’s been a terrible weekend of violence in Wetaskiwin, which has left two people dead and police looking for answers.
The first incident took place on Aug. 25 at around 10:30 p.m., where Wetaskiwin RCMP officers attended a disturbance in the downtown area around 48 St. and 53 Ave. Police found 16-year-old Nakoda Twoyoungmen from the Samson Cree Nation seriously injured, who was taken to Wetaskiwin Hospital. Unfortunately, he was later pronounced dead.
A short time later that night, an adult man suffering from what was determined non-life threatening injuries was located outside the front of the Wetaskiwin RCMP detachment. The man was taken to hospital and placed in custody.
RCMP have charged Matthew Alexander Lightning, 22, of Wetaskiwin with second degree murder and was slated to make his first court appearance yesterday. He was arrested Monday following the results of an autopsy.
A second death occurred in a separate incident around 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 26 when Wetaskiwin RCMP were asked to assist EMS at an apartment complex. A man had been found unresponsive with life threatening injuries. He succumbed to his injuries a short time later at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre.
Police contained the scene upon arrival and the RCMP’s Forensic Identification Section have been examining the area. Members of both the Wetaskiwin RCMP and the major crimes unit are working on the investigation and looking into the circumstances that led up to the man’s death.
So far, no suspects have been identified and police are hoping that anyone with information about either of the two incidents is encouraged to reach out to the Wetaskiwin RCMP at (780) 312-7267.
If people wish to remain anonymous, please call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or go to www.tipsubmit.com to give the information online.
- Dwyer