By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

incident in wetaskiwin

ASIRT investigating after police shooting kills 15-year-old from Samson Cree Nation

Aug 31, 2024 | 7:10 AM

A 15-year-old boy from Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis is dead following a police-involved shooting in Wetaskiwin, and ASIRT is now investigating.

Alberta RCMP say members in Wetaskiwin received a report of individuals who were following a 911 caller around 12:30 a.m on Aug. 30. The caller claimed the people they were being followed by were trying to kill him.

Just after 1:20 a.m., police located an individual — the caller, RCMP clarified Saturday — on 56 Street and 37A Avenue in Wetaskiwin and approached him.

This person was found, police say, to be in possession of several weapons, which officers confiscated.

RCMP say that a confrontation then occurred which resulted in two officers discharging their service firearms and the individual being struck.

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Officers immediately transitioned to life-saving measures, giving first aid until EMS could arrive, an RCMP release notes. The person was transported to hospital, and despite life-saving efforts, passed away.

An RCMP spokesperson further clarified that RCMP were investigating the 15-year-old’s report when the confrontation with him took place — and that he was in fact the original caller.

“Events like these are traumatic for everyone involved,” RCMP write. “The Alberta RCMP wish to extend their profound condolences to the family, loved ones and friends of this young man.”

Due to the officers using their firearms, the investigation has been transferred to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT).

Independent of ASIRT’s investigation, the RCMP’s internal review processes have been implemented to gather a full account of what took place during this incident, including police training, policy, and response.

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