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By Sheldon Spackman

October 2023 Incident

Life sentence for man convicted in central Alberta homicide

Mar 17, 2026 | 3:05 PM

A sentence of life in prison has been handed to a central Alberta man convicted in a Maskwacis homicide two-and-a-half years ago. 

Eroll Clay Rabbit, 60, was found guilty of second-degree murder on Sept. 12, 2025, and sentenced in Wetaskiwin Court of King’s Bench on March 13, 2026, to life behind bars with a 12-year parole ineligibility period and lifetime firearm prohibition. 

It was on Oct. 9, 2023, when Maskwacis RCMP received a report of an assault at a residence on the Louis Bull First Nation. 

Upon arrival, Mounties say the victim, who was identified as 66-year-old Gary Gordon Raine, was taken to hospital with serious injuries. 

RCMP say they initially arrested a suspect at a nearby residence and laid charges for attempted murder. 

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However, on Oct. 13, 2023, RCMP say the victim died from injuries received during the assault. 

As a result of a joint investigation by Maskwacis RCMP and the Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit, on Oct. 20, 2023, Mounties say the suspect had his original charge upgraded to second degree murder. 

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