A 22-year-old Morinville man faces a second-degree murder charge for allegedly killing an outreach worker in Whitecourt.
Police responded to a neighbour’s report of a disturbance at a six-plex near 47 Street and 56 Avenue in Whitecourt at roughly 7 a.m. Saturday, where they found 49-year-old Dolan Badger suffering from serious injuries.
“Police were called to a disturbance at a residence and upon attending, found a male to be quite injured, severely injured,” said Whitecourt RCMP Staff Sgt. Rod Koscielny. “A policeman did provide CPR, but unfortunately (Badger) succumbed to his injuries.”
Badger was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Whitecourt Healthcare Centre. Koscielny could not comment on the nature of the injuries and said he was not sure if a weapon was used.
William Kootenay was arrested at the scene and later charged with the murder. Koscielny said he does not believe Kootenay has had criminal dealings in the past.
Koscielny described Badger and Kootenay as “friends,” and said the two were socializing prior to the disturbance.
“We believe alcohol was involved during the course of the evening,” he said.
Badger formerly worked as an outreach and support worker with HIV Edmonton.
Reports on social media claimed the murder was motivated by hate, as Badger was a gay advocate who identified himself as “two-spirited,” as he was both gay and aboriginal.
But investigators from Whitecourt RCMP and the major crimes unit from K Division are not investigating it as a hate crime.
An autopsy was scheduled to take place in Edmonton on Monday.
Kootenay will appear in Whitecourt Provincial Court Jan. 22. Whitecourt is roughly 175 kilometres northwest of St. Albert.
