Alberta’s police watchdog has determined that the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old Indigenous teenager near Edmonton was not a criminal act, and the two RCMP officers involved will not face charges. The incident, which resulted in the death of the teen identified as Hoss Lightning, took place in Wetaskiwin, Alta., on August 30, 2024.

Hoss Lightning, a member of Samson Cree Nation residing in Maskwacis, was shot by RCMP officers after he approached them in a field with his arm raised inside a backpack, giving the impression that he was holding a gun. The Alberta Serious Response Incident Team investigation revealed that the officers fired up to 17 shots at the teenager, who tragically succumbed to a gunshot wound to the chest. Despite surrendering a machete and a knife earlier, no firearms were found on Lightning.

The ASIRT report emphasized that, given the circumstances, the officers could argue that their use of force was necessary for self-defense, leading to the conclusion that their actions were not criminal. However, the report received criticism from Hoss’s family, represented by Samson Cree Nation Coun. Izaiah Swampy-Omeasoo, who described it as biased and contradictory, causing additional pain and eroding trust in law enforcement.

The ASIRT report detailed that Lightning had called 911, expressing fear that he was being pursued and claimed to have threatened the Hell’s Angels. When the officers encountered him near a McDonald’s, Lightning disclosed his possession of a machete and knife. Despite being informed of the teen’s cognitive delay, one officer attempted to contact a family member but eventually decided to apprehend Lightning, who resisted a pat-down and made a gesture as if he had a gun in his backpack.

The situation escalated as Lightning fled and was later found by the officers in a field. Believing he posed a threat, the officers fired multiple shots, with one or both continuing to shoot even after the teen fell to the ground. Medical help was called, but Lightning passed away in the hospital following the incident.

The report highlighted the challenges of interpreting the events in a dark and tense environment, acknowledging the difficulty in accurately perceiving the situation. Despite the tragic outcome, the ASIRT report justified the officers’ actions as reasonable given the evolving circumstances.