Sanikiluaq (Sep 25/06) - Walter Meeko had most of his life in front of him, but that life ended early.

The 25-year-old was killed in a tragic accident, which has left the community of 800 in mourning.

Walter Meeko, 25, had just earned his high school diploma last year. He was well liked in the community. - photo courtesy of Nuiyak school

At 6 p.m. on Sept. 18, Sanikiluaq RCMP responded to a residence in the hamlet. By the time they arrived, Meeko had been transported to the local health centre. He was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m.

"It was an accidental shooting," said RCMP Cpl. Martin Roy.

"He was chatting with his friends. There was a little boy there, he touched the firearm and the gun went off. He (Meeko) was right in front of the Honda (all-terrain vehicle, where his rifle was stored) and ended up being hit," said Roy.

RCMP are still investigating, and are encouraging anyone who saw the incident to contact them. The investigation has not revealed whether the rifle's safety was on.

Meeko was struck by the bullet in the left side of his abdomen.

The child who accidentally set off the rifle was around five or six years old, according to the RCMP. The community is doing what they can for the child.

"We advised social services, and the mental health nurse is in town. The mother was advised to get in touch with them," said Roy.

Terry Dunford, a teacher at Nuiyak school in Sanikiluaq, knew Meeko well. Meeko started off as a student learning guitar from Dunford, and later returned to help teach guitar to other students.

"He played quite a wide variety of tunes. New bands, and a lot of Johnny Cash, a variety," said Dunford.

"He was a very patient person. If the kid wanted him to show it over and over again, he would. It was never a problem for Walter," said Dunford.

School didn't come easy to Meeko, but he persevered, graduating proudly last year.

"School was a struggle, but he never gave up. English 33 was one of his most difficult subjects. He passed last year," said Dunford. "His life was moving on and he was just so happy. Walter never gave up."

Dunford will remember his friend for his kind nature, but also for the way he carried himself.

"He was a snazzy dresser. I used to kid him about being the best-dressed man in Sanikiluaq. There was never a speck of dirt on him," said Dunford.

"He was a role model. He never did drugs. The worst thing he did was chew a bit of tobacco," said Dunford.

Sam Qavvik works for the hamlet, and got to know Meeko as a volunteer fire-fighter.

"He graduated from his education, and he was also a fireman. He was bright, happy, had no worries. He wanted to help people" said Qavvik.

Johnny Cookie, who also works for the hamlet, knows most of the youth who cause trouble in his community.

"I didn't get to know him really well, because he never did anything wrong. He was a gentle young man. We need more people like him," said Cookie.

Meeko's funeral was held in Sanikiluaq on Sept. 20.