RCMP say a 16-year-old boy has been charged with 14 counts, including attempted murder in connection to a shooting on Highway 1A near Morley, Alta. on Aug.2.
Police said the boy was arrested without incident the evening of Aug. 24 on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation.
The teen has been charged with attempted murder, discharging a firearm with intent and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Investigators have seized both the vehicle and the firearm believed to be involved in the shooting.
At a press conference Tuesday morning, RCMP said the teen was remanded into custody and was set to appear in court Tuesday morning.
The 60-year-old German tourist was driving with his family on Highway 1A near Morley when a shot was fired from another vehicle into the driver’s side window of the tourist’s truck, hitting the man in the head.
Watch below: ‘No conflict’ leading to shooting of German tourist in Alberta
On Aug. 16, police said the gunshot was intentionally fired and they were looking for two suspects. According to Cpl. Curtis Peters, RCMP no longer believe there was more than one person involved.
Get breaking National news
READ MORE: Family of German tourist shot in head on Alberta highway thanks public for support
The tourist was taken to the Foothills hospital in Calgary before he and his family returned to Germany.
Originally it was believed that doctors were not going to be able to remove the bullet from the man’s brain because it would create more damage.
However, Peters said Tuesday the bullet has now been successfully removed by German doctors and will be sent to Canada as a part of the investigation. A GoFundMe page raised more than $13,000 for the family.
In a statement from the German Consulate, family spokesperson Hubert Liebrecht said the victim’s second surgery went well.
“He will soon be able to undergo a long and extensive rehabilitation program which will hopefully show a significant recovery progress. It is too early yet to predict an outcome,” Liebrecht said.
He added the family is still overwhelmed by the amount of support they’re receiving from not only Albertans, but people all across the country.
READ MORE: Tourist shot in head on Alberta highway ‘not able to talk or move his right side’: spokesperson
A statement from the First Nation said its members are feeling remorse and sadness and the Stoney Tribal Council shares the community’s concerns.
“They deeply understand the seriousness of this situation which has cast a dark shadow on our Nation,” the release said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved through this unimaginable event.”
Peters said police could not comment on a potential motive, but police do not believe there was any conflict leading up to the shooting.
In order to have a charge of attempted murder, “there has to have been an intention that the act committed would cause the death of the individual,” Peters told reporters. He said RCMP believe the single shot that was fired met that threshold.
Watch below: Alberta RCMP explain attempted murder charge laid in German tourist’s shooting
The identity of the teen accused in the case will not be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
— With files from The Canadian Press
Comments