Edmonton police sought injunction before documentary on fatal shooting was screened

Edmonton police filed an urgent injunction to block a documentary about Mathios Arkangelo, who was fatally shot by an officer in 2024, just days before its premiere at a local film festival on June 28.

The John Humphrey Centre for Peace and Human Rights premiered the film, Unanswered: A Failed Call to Justice, after receiving the legal challenge. Executive director Renee Vaugeois said officers were concerned the documentary could identify members protected under a publication ban granted in a lawsuit by Arkangelo's family. The ban was issued in fall 2024 after police alleged the officer involved had received credible death threats.

Vaugeois sent a trailer link to Police Chief Warren Driechel as a courtesy days before the premiere. Shortly after, she said, "we were served with urgent injunction materials aiming to halt the screening and remove our online trailer."

Rather than fight a protracted legal battle, the centre chose to re-edit the film to blur officers' faces. Vaugeois said the footage used was provided by Arkangelo's family and had been public for two years, used by multiple media outlets. However, the centre opted to adapt it "to ensure the officers were unidentifiable while preserving the absolute integrity of the family's story."

Chief Driechel reached out to clarify the action was intended to ensure officer safety amid active threats, not to suppress the film, Vaugeois told Postmedia.

A court order was issued following a cooperative resolution between counsel for the officers and the centre. Officers are also taking legal action to compel the family to blur a previously published video of the shooting's aftermath. That application has been adjourned with no set date to reconvene. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team continues investigating Arkangelo's death.