Edmonton family mourns Mya Robertson, 21, after fatal shooting
Edmonton community mourns 21-year-old Mya Robertson after a fatal shooting; her family remembers a dancer, animal lover and aspiring social worker recently.
A south Edmonton family is grieving after 21-year-old Mya Robertson was shot and killed, her mother said, leaving friends and neighbours searching for answers. Robertson, who also used the last name Robertson, was described by relatives as “embarking into adulthood” when the shooting occurred. The loss has prompted an outpouring of memories about a young woman who loved animals, dance and planned to study social work. Authorities have released few public details about the circumstances of the shooting.
Family issues statement
Robertson’s mother provided intimate details about her daughter’s life in a short statement to the media and community. She said Mya was one of four sisters and that the family is trying to process the sudden violence that took her life. Relatives have asked for privacy as they make arrangements and mourn a young person who was beginning to build her future.
Neighbours and extended family members have described the household as close-knit, with siblings who spent their childhoods together in south Edmonton. Those who knew the family say neighbours are offering meals and assisting with practical needs during the initial days of grief. The community response has underscored how sudden losses ripple beyond immediate relatives to friends, classmates and co-workers.
School and dance background
Mya attended J. Percy Page High School in Edmonton, where classmates remember her participation in school activities and social circles. She competed in ballet, jazz and hip hop dancing, a mix that friends say reflected both discipline and joy. Dance teachers and peers recalled a student who moved with focus and who took pleasure in performing with others.
Former classmates said Robertson balanced schoolwork and extracurriculars and that her dance training was a meaningful part of her identity. The combination of academic pursuits and artistic activity, they say, suggested someone preparing for higher education and community involvement. Those memories have been shared in quiet conversations and social media posts since the shooting.
Work life and future plans
Robertson worked at a local pet store, where co-workers described her as an animal lover who enjoyed caring for pets and advising customers. That employment, her mother said, fit with Mya’s long-standing affection for animals and her easy rapport with younger customers. The job also supported her while she took upgrading courses aimed at qualifying for post-secondary study.
According to family, Robertson had her sights set on a program in social work and had been completing prerequisites to apply. Friends said she spoke often about wanting to help others and believed social work would let her combine empathy with practical assistance. Those plans now stand as part of the legacy her family and teachers remember.
Details of the shooting remain limited
Public information about the shooting that killed Robertson is scarce, with officials providing minimal detail in the immediate aftermath. The family’s account confirms the death, but specific circumstances, including motive and any arrests, have not been publicly disclosed. News organizations and community members have urged authorities to share information as appropriate to help the public understand what happened.
Local residents expressed unease that so little is known, noting that clarity from law enforcement can help reduce rumours and speculation. At the same time, family members emphasized their priority is honouring Robertson’s life and supporting one another. Community leaders encouraged patience as investigators work through the early stages of their response.
Community response and supports
Since news of Robertson’s death circulated, local residents and acquaintances have organized informal support networks and vigils to remember her life. Flower tributes, messages left at neighbourhood spots and online posts have become focal points for collective mourning. Those close to Mya said these gestures help the family feel the breadth of care from people who knew her in different parts of her life.
Social services and school counsellors in Edmonton typically offer grief supports following traumatic events, and community groups have reminded people about available resources. Friends and former teachers urged anyone affected by the news to seek help and to check in with one another. The family has also received offers of practical assistance that they say they will consider as they move through funeral planning.
A number of Robertson’s former dance instructors and co-workers released tributes describing a young woman who was generous with her time and patient with animals. They noted how she balanced a shy steadiness with a readiness to laugh, and how small daily routines — like feeding animals at work or attending dance class — now stand out as lasting memories. Those recollections have framed much of the local conversation since the shooting.
Final arrangements and memorial plans were not immediately announced by the family, who have asked for space to grieve privately. As questions about the shooting persist, relatives and friends continue to emphasize the portraits of Robertson that mattered most to them: a sister, a dancer, an animal lover and a young adult quietly preparing for a career helping others.
