Hobbema 'shocked' by sudden death

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Almost two months after being stabbed, a Samson band member has died and another 19 year old man from the reserve has been charged with second-degree murder.

Wetaskiwin RCMP say David Daniel Omeasoo, 41 died in the University Hospital on Saturday, Au. 19.

Omeasoo had been stabbed in a fight at a house on the Samson reserve, located 90 km south of Edmonton.

He lived approximately one and a half months before dying.

Omeasoo is the son of former Samson band chief Jim Omeasoo, who served as chief up until this summer.

Wetaskiwin RCMP Corporal Peter Calvers says Gary Dean Yellowbird has been charged with second-degree murder since Omeasoo passed away.

Yellowbird was in custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre, held in connection with the original charge of aggravated assault, which he received after stabbing Omeasoo in July.

The charge was stepped up to second-degree murder after the weekend death. Second-degree murder carries with it a penalty of ten to 25 years, with no parole opportunity before

ten years.

Calvers said no further details could be released since the case is presently before the courts.

In the last year, Calvers says there have been seven murders in the Hobbema area with six more fatalities an and estimated four to five suicides.

Heart tributes the reduction in violent deaths to preventative measures being taken by the four Hobbema bands.