Haida Gwaii man charged in suspected hit-and-run homicide
Victim Luke Pearson was struck by a vehicle in the 200 block of Front Street in Skidegate
Police on Haida Gwaii say a man has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in what they believe was a targeted hit and run earlier this week.
The victim, Luke Pearson, was struck by a vehicle in the 200 block of Front Street in the community of Skidegate on Tuesday afternoon and later died of his injuries.
Daajing Giids RCMP say the B.C. Prosecution Service has approved a charge of second-degree murder against 32-year-old Skidegate resident Tyson Young in connection with the pedestrian death. A bail hearing was scheduled for Friday.
Pearson, who was Haida, was identified as kind, generous and caring in a statement released by the Council of the Haida Nation.
The statement urged 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 said at no time did police feel there was a greater risk to the community.
RCMP say residents can expect to see an extra police presence in the community for the next few days as the investigation continues.
With files from Bill Fee