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15-year-old charged with manslaughter after fatal shooting

Nov 16, 2017 | 1:16 PM

15-year-old teen known to the youth who was shot to death was arrested this morning and charged with manslaughter.

The youth, who cannot be named due to provisions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is also charged with possession of a loaded prohibited firearm and public mischief.

The victim, Kegan McCallum, 17, was shot at a home on Meadow Lake’s West side on Monday, Nov. 13. Police contacted his family members earlier today to confirm the suspect was arrested shortly after 10 a.m. at a residence in North Battleford.

“We were actually at the funeral home arranging things for Kegan,” said McCallum’s aunt Amber Barthel. “We got a call that the head guys at the crime unit wanted to meet with us immediately. They wanted us to be the first to know that they have the shooter in custody.”

Barthel added the arrest lifted a weight off the family’s shoulders for now as a suspect was not immediately located after McCallum’s death.

“Tears of joy,” she said. “[RCMP] worked hard to find the guy who did this to Kegan. [We’re] a little bit disappointed of the charges. Again, they can’t tell us all the details but it sounds like it wasn’t premeditated, so I guess we just wait to hear more on that.”

The youth will appear in Meadow Lake court on Monday, Nov. 20 at 9:30 a.m.

Candlelight vigil walk tonight

Members from both sides of Kegan’s family organized a candlelight vigil walk to “take Keegan home,” Barthel said.

“He went to his best friend’s house [where he was shot] every day, and every night he would phone and somebody would go pick him up every night,” she said through tears. “That night was the only night he didn’t ask for a ride, or come home, so we’re going to walk him home.”

She said all community members can attend, and should bring their own candles.

“Anybody and everybody that would like to come is absolutely welcome,” Barthel said.

The vigil will start at 6 p.m. at the corner of Third St. W. and Sixth Ave. W, and proceed to the family’s home on the East side. 

–Editor’s Note: Commenting on this story is closed as the matter is before the courts.

 

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