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
BREAKING American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
Lack of detention space could force CBSA to release detainees, internal memo warns
The Canada Border Services Agency is scrambling to find space to hold high-risk detainees that are set to be transferred from provincial jails in June.
Allman Brothers Band co-founder and legendary guitarist Dickey Betts dies at 80
Guitar legend Dickey Betts, who co-founded the Allman Brothers Band and wrote their biggest hit, 'Ramblin' Man,' has died. He was 80.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
What does it mean to be 'house poor' and how can you avoid it?
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Calgary man charged with manslaughter in death of toddler
Calgary police say Winston Campbell, 45, has been charged in the death of a two-year-old girl in 2022.