Four charged after Eabametoong stabbing leaves one man dead

EABAMETOONG FIRST NATION — Four people have now been charged after serious assault in Eabametoong First Nation left one man dead and another seriously injured. The case has quickly become a major regional file, underscoring how violent-crime investigations in remote northwestern Ontario communities often involve air ambulance transport, outside police support and court proceedings in Thunder Bay. Further there is not a solid source for victim’s services as families of serious crime incidents like this go through the system.

Police had earlier confirmed that officers responded to an assault call on Albany River Crescent at about 3:35 a.m. on Sunday, March 29, and found two people with life-threatening injuries.

Two adults and two youths now facing murder and assault charges

Updated information provided to NetNewsLedger adds to the information available. Nathaniel Atlookan later died in hospital after being airlifted from the community.

The update says Sampson Wabano, 19, and Trayvon Wabano, 18, are each charged with second-degree murder in the death of Atlookan and aggravated assault in the vicious assault of Waswa. Two additional accused, ages 17 and 15, are also each charged with second-degree murder and aggravated assault.

Police had previously said the OPP North West Region Crime Unit was assisting Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch.

NetNewsLedger is not identifying the two youth accused. Section 110 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits publishing the name of a young person, or other identifying information, if it would identify that person as a young person dealt with under the act.

What the charges mean under Canadian law

Second-degree murder is governed by sections 231 and 235 of the Criminal Code. In plain language, all murder that is not first-degree murder is second-degree murder. For an adult conviction, the sentence is automatically life imprisonment. For second-degree murder, parole eligibility begins after at least 10 years and can be set as high as 25 years, depending on what the court orders.

Aggravated assault is set out in section 268 of the Criminal Code. It applies where a person wounds, maims, disfigures or endangers the life of another person. It is an indictable offence carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

For the two youth accused, sentencing would proceed under the Youth Criminal Justice Act unless the Crown seeks, and the court imposes, an adult sentence. Under the youth regime, a second-degree murder conviction can carry a youth sentence of up to seven years in total.

What happens next

According to the information received by NetNewsLedger, all four accused have been transported to custodial facilities in Thunder Bay and are scheduled to appear in court later this month.

All charges remain allegations that must be proven in court. All accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.