Teen, 17, charged with manslaughter in shooting death of 13-year-old on northern First Nation

A northern Manitoba community is mourning after a 13-year-old boy was shot and killed and a 17-year-old youth was charged with manslaughter over the weekend.

Officers were called to a shooting in a home in Pimicikamak Cree Nation at about 5:40 p.m. Saturday. The 13-year-old boy was taken to a nursing station, where he was pronounced dead.

The 17-year-old youth was arrested at the scene and a firearm was seized. RCMP said the teen was charged with manslaughter and remanded in custody Monday.

Pimicikamak Cree Nation chief David Monias offered condolences and asked for privacy for the family in a statement posted to social media.

“Our community is deeply saddened by this loss. We are placing our trust in the police to conduct a thorough investigation and provide answers,” he said in a social media post.

“Out of respect for the family and loved ones, we must allow them the space to grieve during this difficult time.”

The First Nation is located about 530 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

By Monday afternoon, RCMP from the Cross Lake detachment and major crimes were holding final interviews in the community, said Sgt. Paul Manaigre.

“It is unfortunate, but everything was pretty much evident as to what took place, quite quickly,” he said.

The youths were not alone in the home, he said, but could not confirm further details.

“This is not a crime of passion, or someone was out to get someone, a pre-meditation, or anything,” he said.

“It is, from what it sounds like, the way it’s affecting a lot of people, would tend to side with the fact that this was accidental.”

malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca