A 40-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a teen found injured in an area near Edmonton’s outskirts this week.
Global News has learned the 15-year-old boy who died is Broden Radomske, a Grade 9 student at Lorne Akins Junior High School in St. Albert, Alta.
Police revealed Wednesday that a man had been taken into custody in connection with the boy’s death and announced Thursday that his name is Keith James Landry and that he has been charged.
Police added investigators believe the accused and the teen who died were “known to one another.”
Police have said an autopsy has been scheduled for Friday.
According to the EPS, the teen was found in the Edmonton area on Tuesday night. At around 9:30 p.m, officers were called to the area of 137th Avenue and 184th Street after someone reported an injured person there.
Police said when officers arrived, they found the teen who had sustained “serious, life-threatening injuries.”
“Despite lifesaving efforts by officers and paramedics, the youth succumbed to his injuries on scene.”
Global News has also learned the teen was walking with his mother when he was attacked.
Kristine Mathisen told Global News on Thursday that her children were good friends with Radomske.
She said the boy’s grandmother texted her late at night to tell her what happened. She shared the news with her sons the next morning.
“(My one son) didn’t believe me,” Mathisen said.
“He kept saying, ‘No, this can’t be real.'”
She said her other son “curled up and cried.”
“It was a very difficult conversation,” Mathisen recalled. “Incredible young man and a great friend.
“(He was) fun-loving, … extremely active, … (and had a) heart of gold.”
She said she will also remember him for “eating every snack I ever had in the house.”
“It will never be the same,” Mathisen said. “Broden will never be forgotten.
“He’s loving and deserving and he should still be here.”
Mathisen acknowledged she has been having difficulty navigating the past few days and that she is focused on helping “these kids that are still here and hurting.”
Mathisen said Radomske loved to play hockey – a sport he excelled at – and also loved the outdoors, whether it be camping or just spending time at a lake.
St. Albert Public Schools posted about Radomske’s death on social media on Wednesday. School board officials called his death “heartbreaking news.”
“Broden had been a student at Robert Rundle and attended Hillgrove up until his recent move to LA (Lorne Akins),” the school board’s post reads. “Our hearts are with Broden’s family, friends, classmates and teachers as they struggle with this enormous loss.
“Our flags will also be lowered in honour of Broden. We are grateful for the time he spent with us. May he rest in peace.”
A spokesperson for the Edmonton Public School Board confirmed to Global News that Radomske had attended Ivor Dent School in the northeast part of the city “earlier this year.”
They said the EPSB will have a support services team at the school to offer assistance to both students and staff.
“The team is made up of trained professionals who provide counselling to help students and staff in difficult times like this,” the spokesperson said.
On Wednesday, discarded medical supplies and what appeared to be a blood stain on the pavement were visible near the scene that police were called to on Tuesday. On Thursday morning, a Global News crew saw that flowers had been laid at the scene.
–with files from Global News’ Sarah Ryan, Kendra Slugoski and Emily Mertz
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