Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services

Ndilo (July 15/02) - RCMP are calling it the first homicide investigation in Yellowknife in 10 years.

Eddie Paul Beyonnie, 22, was murdered early Friday morning in Ndilo. Police have arrested and charged Derek Jason Sangris, 23, also of Ndilo, with one count of second-degree murder.

RCMP were called to the scene at 2:30 a.m. Beyonnie was discovered seriously wounded outside the Vital Abel House and was rushed to Stanton Territorial Hospital. He was pronounced dead shortly after, according to RCMP Sgt. Al McCambridge.

At 9:30 police and forensics examiners were still on site collecting evidence. A close friend of the victim heard Beyonnie was attempting to break up a fight between Sangris and another young male adult when he was fatally injured. The friend, who did not wish to be identified, claims Beyonnie was stabbed. Police would not confirm the cause of death until the results of an autopsy are released.

"They got into an argument, but it had nothing to do with Eddie," she said.

The RCMP Yellowknife detachment, the G Division Major Crimes Unit and the Forensic Identification Section are conducting the homicide investigation.

"One adult male resident of Ndilo has been taken into police custody," said McCambridge Friday afternoon. That resident was later identified by police as Sangris after the charge was laid.

The community of Ndilo is grieving the death of a young man who was kind to all and had a very unique artistic gift.

"It's a shock to the community. Ndilo is a small but very close community and I think it has affected all of them in some way," said McCambridge.

Assembly ends early

The Dene National Assembly was cut short Friday, a day early, as a result of the murder. Akaitcho leaders left for home as soon as they received word of Beyonnie's death.

A close friend of the victim said she had known Beyonnie for many years and they were "pretty good friends."

"We had a group of us that all hung out. There was about 15 guys in their group and us girls who hung out with them," she said.

When asked what kind of person Beyonnie was, she began sobbing uncontrollably and could only whimper "I think it's kind of too early, I'm sorry," before hanging up the phone.

Bruce Christensen was in Beyonnie's graduating class at St. Patrick high school this year. He called the death of his classmate "a shocker."

"He was a nice guy. He was a good friend and classmate.

"We talked about this and that and shared some jokes and had some fun on our (school) trips," said Christensen.

Beyonnie was intelligent, very talented and an excellent artist, said Christensen.

McCambridge said police are interviewing several witnesses and are also seeking other individuals who may have witnessed the incident that led to Beyonnie's death.

Sangris is being held in custody and will appear in territorial court Tuesday to answer to the charge.