Ten year old Cranbrook boy shoots and kills a youth

Cranbrook RCMP are now releasing the name of the 17 year-old youth who was killed in a shooting incident in Jaffray on June 16th. The victim is: Michael Justin VOTH.

The police investigation to date indicates that the shooting was an accident. A 10 year-old child was able to access a loaded shotgun, which discharged while he held it in his hands.

Under the Criminal Code of Canada, there are no provisions for a child under the age of 12 years to face criminal charges, nor can their identity be released. However, the matter of the insecure firearm is still part of the police investigation, and it is anticipated that the owner of the firearm may face charges.

At the present time, the South East District Major Crime Section has taken over the investigation and it is expected that they will bring the matter to the attention of Crown Counsel sometime in the future.