A teenaged boy has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder in the death of a 16-year-old girl over the long weekend.
The girl was killed during an alleged break-and-enter early Monday morning at a north-end home.
The accused was picked up by authorities a few blocks away from the home – shortly after firefighters arrived on the scene.
Police said the accused does not live in the area.
The 16-year-old boy has been charged with one count of second-degree murder, break and enter, robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.
He made his first court appearance Tuesday morning, where he reserved his election to plea.
Neither the victim or the accused can be identified, under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Police were called to the duplex in the area of 125 Street and 127 Avenue before 5 a.m. Monday, where they found a 16-year-old girl in medical distress – police later said she had been stabbed in the neck.
The girl was treated and transported to hospital where she later died.
On Tuesday, Police said the teen girl was asleep in her room when the alleged robbery happened, and that she didn’t know the teenaged boy now facing charges.
“There were items stolen from her bedroom, and we believe when she was awoken, that’s when she was stabbed,” Edmonton Police Service Detective Bill Clark said. “This is a tragic, tragic case.
“It’s simply sad; the family is obviously extremely devastated.”
Police said the victim was visiting the city with her father from the Grande Prairie area, and they were staying at the home at the time.
The accused has been scheduled to appear in court on July 19.
With files from David Ewasuk
