A fatal confrontation between RCMP officers and a 15-year-old boy from the Samson Cree Nation has left the Wetaskiwin community in shock. The incident is currently under investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).
The sequence of events began just after midnight, at 12:28 a.m., when Wetaskiwin RCMP received a distressing 911 call. The caller, later identified as a 15-year-old boy, reported that he was being followed by individuals who he believed were attempting to kill him.
Approximately an hour later, at 1:22 a.m., police located the individual near the intersection of 56 Street and 37A Avenue in Wetaskiwin. Upon approaching the boy, officers discovered that he was in possession of several weapons.
According to the RCMP, a conflict arose between the officers and the boy, leading two officers to discharge their service firearms. The 15-year-old was struck by the gunfire.
EMS personnel transported the boy to a nearby hospital, but despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The RCMP has identified the deceased as a 15-year-old resident of Samson Cree Nation, a First Nations community in Alberta. The release of his name has been withheld out of respect for the family and in accordance with privacy regulations.
The death of the young man has sent ripples of grief and shock through the community, particularly among members of the Samson Cree Nation.
ASIRT’s investigation will examine the actions of the RCMP officers involved, including the use of force, the circumstances leading up to the shooting, and the events that unfolded during the encounter.
The outcome of ASIRT’s investigation will be crucial in determining the next steps, both for the RCMP officers involved and for the broader conversation about policing and community relations in Alberta. The tragic death of a young boy serves as a somber reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in policing, particularly in moments of crisis.