Alberta First Nation condemns shooting death of 15-year-old, calls for RCMP resignations
As a community mourns the death of a teenager shot and killed by police after allegedly calling them for help, First Nations leaders and the boy’s family are condemning the officers’ actions and have made five requests.
As a community mourns the tragic death of a teenager who was shot and killed by police after allegedly calling them for help, First Nations leaders and the boy’s family are condemning the officers' actions and have made five specific requests.
The boy, identified as Hoss Lightning, had just turned 15 in August. He was from the Samson Cree Nation, one of four First Nation communities in Maskwacis, central Alberta.
Lightning died in the nearby city of Wetaskiwin, about 70 kilometres south of Edmonton. According to the RCMP, officers responded around 12:30 a.m. on Friday, August 30, after receiving a 911 call from someone who claimed he was being followed by people trying to kill him.
A letter released Monday by Samson Cree Nation Coun. Izaiah Swampy-Omeasoo, on behalf of the boy’s family, stated that Lightning was the one who made that call for help, only to end up dead.
Less than an hour after the 911 call, the RCMP reported that officers located an "individual" on 56th Street and 37A Avenue in Wetaskiwin and approached him. The RCMP stated that the individual was armed with weapons, which the officers confiscated, though the type of weapons was not disclosed.
"A confrontation occurred which resulted in two officers discharging their service firearms and the individual being struck. Officers immediately transitioned to life-saving measures, rendering first aid to the individual, and EMS was called. EMS transported the individual to the hospital, however, despite lifesaving efforts, the individual died at the hospital," according to a police statement from last week.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is currently investigating the incident.
The teen’s family released an image of him holding a photo of his late grandfather, Hoss Saddleback, after whom he was named. The Lightning and Saddleback families have condemned the officers' actions "to the fullest extent," calling for residents to unite against injustice, honor Lightning, and work together to "repair the damage that has been done and seek out new, progressive ways for a better future."
In their letter, the family outlined five specific requests:
- The immediate resignation of the RCMP officers involved in the shooting.
- A transparent and accountable investigation, ensuring the people of Samson Cree Nation are kept informed of the outcomes.
- A call on the federal and provincial governments for increased funding for mental health and community-based support services.
- A candlelight vigil for Hoss Lightning.
- A call for the chiefs of Treaty 6 to advocate for greater cooperation and significant policy reform on policing and de-escalation training concerning Indigenous Peoples.
On Tuesday, the Alberta RCMP acknowledged the family's statement and reiterated their commitment to transparency, supporting the ASIRT investigation. "We understand that events like these are traumatic for everyone involved. No matter the outcome of the ASIRT investigation, the Alberta RCMP extend our profound condolences to the family, loved ones, and friends of the 15-year-old," the RCMP stated.
The Lightning family expressed gratitude for the support they have received and requested privacy as they conduct traditional funeral ceremonies. "The family asks during this time that they be allowed to grieve," the statement said. "The family respectfully requests that those wishing to hold a vigil/protest/rally kindly approach the matriarchs of the family first."
While a vigil is planned, a date has not yet been set.
The Reconciliation Action Group, an advocacy organization, also spoke out about Lightning’s death, expressing that instead of being protected by "those Canadians (who) claim (to) have sworn to protect and serve, this child was shot by not one, but two RCMP officers that responded to his cries for help."
The group echoed the five calls to action outlined in the family’s letter. "Our hearts are breaking for Hoss Lightning’s family. We send our deepest condolences to his family and the entire Samson Cree Nation community. Please know that we see you," RAG said.
Two Indigenous Alberta NDP members, Edmonton-West Henday MLA Brooks Arcand-Paul, a lawyer from Alexander First Nation, and Edmonton-Rutherford MLA Jodi Calahoo Stonehouse, from Michel First Nation, also spoke out about the shooting on Tuesday. Both expressed devastation over the fatal incident and echoed the call for a thorough investigation by ASIRT and for policing reform.
"We reiterate the need for a comprehensive approach to fixing the structural problems with policing in this province. We stand with our colleagues who have called on the UCP to begin the gathering of race-based data and pass the Anti-Racism Act they voted down in 2022," the two stated on Tuesday.
"This is a terrible loss to the community and to the Samson Cree Nation. We call for a fully transparent and timely investigation of this incident, as well as a commitment to structural reform of policing in the province."
While ASIRT conducts its investigation, the RCMP said it is also conducting an internal review to gather a full account of the events, including police training, policy, and response.
