Three years after her daughter Mya Abialmouna was fatally shot in Edmonton, Melissa Robertson is finally ready to speak out. The 21-year-old was killed alongside 20-year-old Mohamed Fofanah in March 2023, but the case remains unsolved. Robertson hopes that by sharing her story, she can bring renewed attention to the tragedy and seek justice.
A Mother's Pain
Robertson described the difficulty of watching her child's case grow cold. 'It's difficult, because what do you do? How do you help? What do you do to try to help your child who's gone and has seemingly almost been forgotten?' she said in an interview. Mya, who also used the last name Robertson, was described as a young woman 'embarking into adulthood.' She grew up in south Edmonton, attended J. Percy Page High School, and was passionate about dance, including ballet, jazz, and hip hop. An animal lover, she worked at a pet store and was taking upgrading courses to pursue a career in social work.
The Night of the Shooting
On March 7, 2023, Mya asked Fofanah to drive her to an appointment. They were involved in a minor fender bender and stopped near 132A Avenue and 66 Street to wait for police. At around 7:35 p.m., someone opened fire on their vehicle. Police described them as 'sitting ducks.' Both died at the scene. Fofanah had lost his brother Alhaji to homicide just six months earlier, and Mya had been supporting him through his grief. Robertson recalled warning her daughter to be careful, but Mya felt she couldn't abandon him.
Community and Silence
In the aftermath, Robertson chose to remain silent, avoiding social media due to harsh comments from people who assumed they knew the circumstances. 'Everybody thinks they know this scenario, but you don't,' she said. The Edmonton Sierra Leonean community initially rallied around Fofanah's family, but Mya's name faded. Now, Robertson hopes to change that, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Edmonton police continue to investigate, but the case remains cold. Robertson's plea is a reminder of the many unsolved homicides that leave families in limbo, searching for answers and closure.
