Edmonton teen bystander shot in downtown shooting during 'altercation': police
A teen bystander was shot during an altercation outside the Edmonton Convention Centre Thursday evening, police say.
Two groups were involved in the dispute around 11 p.m. Investigators did not say what caused the argument but believe the people in the groups knew each other.
"During the altercation, several shots were allegedly fired by a male from one of the groups," Edmonton Police Service said.
"One of those shots struck a 17-year-old female bystander, who was not part of the altercation."
Another member of the public drove her to hospital. She was expected to survive, EPS said on Friday.
A Jasper Avenue resident told CTV News Edmonton multiple gunshots woke him up.
"I seen people screaming, 'He's got his gun. He's got a gun. He's got a gun.' They were all running into Marriott courtyard hotel," Eric LeFabvre said on Friday.
"It was crazy. I saw people spinning tire with their vehicle, 'Let's go, let's get out, let's get out,'" he added. "One black vehicle that I saw was spinning tire and they were going, driving nuts, just out of the parking lot."
Two males were taken into custody. Police did not reveal their names or ages or say whether charges were pending.
The shooting happened after the Grade 12 commencement ceremony for Archbishop O'Leary High School at the conference centre, according to a letter sent home to parents from school principal Brad Koshka.
Koshka did not disclose whether the victim or suspects were members of the school community.
The letter said the planned Grade 12 graduation event at the conference centre for Friday night would go ahead as planned with additional security precautions, but would now end at 10 p.m.
"EPS will be deploying additional officers to the venue and area," Koshka wrote. "The Edmonton Convention Centre will be heightening its security with bag checks and metal detectors for all guests entering the venue."
The school is offering refunds to anyone who chooses not to attend as a result of the events of Thursday night.
Koshka said the Edmonton Catholic School's Crisis Response Team is available to anyone who may have seen or heard anything after Thursday's event.
A spokesperson for the Edmonton Catholic School Board told CTV News Edmonton the commencement ceremony had ended about an hour before the incident, and said the victim is not believed to be an Archbishop O'Leary student.
Anyone with information or video of the shooting is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Speaker's Nazi veteran invite 'profoundly embarrassing' Trudeau says, as Rota faces calls to resign
Tensions flared in the Commons on Monday over opposition calls for House Speaker Anthony Rota to resign after apologizing to Parliament for inviting, recognizing and leading the chamber in a standing ovation for a man who fought for a Nazi unit during the Second World War.
Poster advertising 'whites-only' children's playtime sparks outrage in B.C. community
Police have launched an investigation into a poster inviting "proud parents of European children" to participate in racially segregated playtime in B.C.'s Lower Mainland.
Canadian air force investigating 'inappropriate and unapproved' call sign broadcast on U.K. flight
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is investigating an ‘inappropriate and unapproved’ call sign that was transmitted electronically from one of its aircraft on Monday.
'Deeply hurtful': Polish ambassador condemns Nazi veteran’s invitation to Canada’s Parliament
Polish ambassador to Canada says House Speaker Anthony Rota's apology doesn’t go far enough after a Nazi veteran was honoured in the House of Commons last Friday.
7 candidates have qualified for the 2nd Republican presidential debate. Here's who missed the cut
The field for the second Republican presidential debate will be smaller than the first.
Vaccination during pregnancy safe, effective and recommended, CMAJ says
The most up-to-date guidelines from the Canadian Medical Association Journal recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for anyone who is pregnant in order to reduce the risk of serious illness to themselves and the children they carry.
Canadian Sikhs stage protests against Indian government over murder
Canadian Sikhs staged small protests outside India's diplomatic missions on Monday, a week after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there may be a link between New Delhi and the murder of a Sikh separatist advocate in British Columbia.
An airsoft pistol, a machete, and 2 knives: Jury learns of items seized in pickup truck used during attack on a London, Ont. family
The trial of Nathaniel Veltman, 22, continued in Windsor for his actions on June 6, 2021 that killed four people and seriously injured a fifth person. In court on Monday, two forensic identification officers with the London Police Service testified.
Canada approves Ebola virus vaccine for adults exposed to the deadly disease
Canada has approved a vaccine to prevent Ebola in non-pregnant and otherwise healthy adults aged 18 and older.