Family of Islander killed in Alberta 'still in shock'

The sister of an Island man who was killed in Alberta says she is "still in shock" after hearing the news of his death.

Joseph Junior Alfred Gallant, 45, was fatally injured in Red Deer, Alta., on Friday. RCMP in Alberta say a man and a woman have been charged with second-degree murder and assault causing bodily harm, and police have issued a warrant for their arrest.

RCMP say the suspects are at large and one is armed.

"I can't believe that this has actually happened," said Gallant's sister, Tammy Gallant. "We're here for one another. We're doing what we can for one another."

She said her brother leaves behind two adult sons and a grandson.

'Just a sweetheart'

"Joseph was a funny boy, he liked to have fun, he was just a sweetheart," said Joseph Gallant's aunt Shirley Gallant, who said he was someone who got along with everyone and had lots of friends.

She said her own five sons were close with him, and have taken the news of his death hard.

"He's always been a west boy, he's always been the type of man who lived in a truck," said Tammy Gallant. "He loved trucking. He was never much for being here on the little Island. There was never nothing for him. He always liked being by himself … and wherever he wanted to be."

Challenges to get Gallant home

Tammy Gallant said the hope is to get her brother home by Saturday, but she's not sure if that will be able to happen, as getting his body back to the Island has been a challenge.

"It's hard. He's way out there. He's out there all by himself," she said. "We don't even know if we're going to be able to see him to say goodbye."

Arrangements are being made through Moase Funeral Home in Summerside, P.E.I.

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