The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has concluded its investigation into the tragic death of a 15-year-old boy in Wetaskiwin, determining that the officer-involved shooting does not warrant criminal charges.
According to the police watchdog's findings, the incident unfolded when Wetaskiwin RCMP officers responded to reports of an armed individual threatening self-harm on the evening of September 30. The situation escalated dramatically when the teenage boy, whose identity remains protected, allegedly advanced toward officers while brandishing a weapon.
A Rapidly Unfolding Crisis
ASIRT executive director Michael Ewenson detailed the sequence of events that led to the fatal encounter. "The subject was reported to be in possession of a weapon and making threats to harm himself," Ewenson stated. "When police located him, he was indeed armed with a weapon."
The investigation revealed that despite repeated commands from officers to drop the weapon, the teenager continued advancing toward police. This movement occurred within what Ewenson described as "relatively close proximity," creating what law enforcement experts call a "critical distance" scenario where split-second decisions can mean the difference between life and death.
The Legal Standard Applied
ASIRT's determination hinged on the legal framework governing police use of force in Canada. The watchdog agency examined whether the officers' actions were reasonable given the circumstances they faced.
"The officers' conduct in discharging their service weapons fell within the range of what was reasonable in the circumstances," the agency concluded. This assessment considers what a reasonable police officer would do when confronted with an immediate threat, rather than applying perfect hindsight.
A Community in Mourning
The small city of Wetaskiwin, located approximately 70 kilometres south of Edmonton, has been grappling with the loss of one of its young residents. Community leaders and school officials have been providing support services to students and residents affected by the tragedy.
While ASIRT's investigation has closed the criminal aspect of the case, the emotional aftermath continues to ripple through the central Alberta community. The incident highlights the complex and often dangerous situations police officers face when responding to mental health crises.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team continues to investigate all serious incidents involving police officers in the province, maintaining its mandate to ensure transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations.
