A 17-year-old P.E.I. boy is in hospital with non-life threatening injuries after he was shot by Charlottetown Police Friday afternoon.
Police say they were called to the Charlottetown mall after a 911 caller reported a shooting. No shooting had occurred, but when police arrived on scene they found the armed teen.
“Anytime that the officer feels that his life is in danger, or anyone else, the life of his partner or any bystanders in the area, then he is trained and obligated to respond to that,” said Charlottetown Police Det.-Sgt. Brad MacConnell.
Eight investigators from the Summerside Police Department have been called in to lead the investigation into the incident. Officers from Nova Scotia are assisting.
The rare incident has rattled some in Prince Edward Island. Charlottetown Police say it has been almost 20 years since one of their officers shot a suspect.
“I was saddened for the fact that this happened on little old P.E.I., because everyone considers P.E.I. safe,” said Stratford resident Melinda Murray.
“Quality of life is really good here in P.E.I., but certainly this incident raises awareness that these incidents do happen, they happen in great communities like Charlottetown,” said Det.-Sgt. MacConnell. “But that is why our officers are trained to deal with them.”
When he is released from hospital the teen could be facing charges of careless use of a firearm, possession of prohibited weapons and public mischief.
With files from CTV Atlantic's David Bell
