Vigil for man shot by police in Edmonton calls for ‘thorough investigation’

Dozens of grieving family members, friends and neighbours gathered for a vigil in Edmonton’s Fraser neighbourhood on Saturday to remember a 28-year-old man who died after shot dead by police last week.

Those in attendance brought flowers and candles and stood side by side to honor Mathios Arkangelo. He will be remembered as a loving father, husband and son.

“My heart was broken in pieces the day the incident happened, even to this day,” a neighbor who attended the vigil told CityNews. “My children are traumatized, even myself. I was wondering what was going on. This is a residential area.”

“I’m done… it’s so traumatic,” added another. “When I think about it, I shed tears for the family.”

On June 29, officers responded to the area of ​​153rd Avenue and Anthony Henday Drive after receiving a report of a vehicle rollover.

The driver, who police reports said was suspected of being unfit to drive, allegedly left the scene of the accident on foot. Police said a “confrontation” later occurred during which a police officer shot the man. He was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he died.

An Edmonton couple was in their driveway with their three children on the day of the incident and said they witnessed the whole thing.

“It happened in front of my children,” the father told CityNews on Sunday. “Sixteen, 14 and eight, and it’s traumatic. We didn’t expect this to happen.”

A video obtained by CityNews shows a man standing in front of a police vehicle. The man appears to show the officer something in his hand. The man then extends both arms. As the video continues, he is later seen on the ground.

The community is now demanding answers.

“His hands were outstretched like that… it’s a sign of surrender,” a neighbor said at the vigil. “He didn’t move and he was shot, so we’re wondering why he should be shot.”

“We demand justice, a thorough investigation that is not delayed and that is not racially biased.”

A GoFundMe page was organized by a family member to help Arkangelo’s wife and seven-year-old son.

Edmonton police said they could not provide any further information as the incident is currently under investigation by ASIRT.