(EABAMETOONG FIRST NATION, ON) – Five individuals have been arrested in relation to an ongoing investigation now being treated as a homicide in Eabametoong First Nation.
On Sunday, March 29, 2026, at approximately 3:35 a.m., officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service (NAPS) Eabametoong Detachment responded to reports of an assault on Albany River Crescent in Eabametoong First Nation. Two individuals were located with life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to hospital.
On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, one of the individuals, a 33-year-old male from Eabametoong First Nation, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
As a result of the investigation, the following five individuals from Eabametoong First Nation have each been charged with second degree murder contrary to section 231 of the Criminal Code (CC) and aggravated assault contrary to section 268 CC:
- Edgar MOONIAS, 47 years old
- Trayvon WABANO, 18 years old
- Samson WABANO, 19 years old
- A 17-year-old
- A 15-year-old
Edgar MOONIAS remains in custody for a bail hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
The other four accused were remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Thunder Bay on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
In accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the OPP will not release the identities of the two accused youths.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) North West Region Crime Unit and NAPS Crime Unit are continuing this investigation under the direction of the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch, in conjunction with the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. Assistance is being provided by OPP Forensic Identification Services and NAPS Forensic Identification Services.
The OPP would like to thank the Chief and Council of Eabametoong First Nation, as well as members of the public for their support.
Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
Further information will be released as it becomes available.