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
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.