WINNIPEG, Man., — An investigation is underway after a Winnipeg police officer shot and injured an 18-year-old woman in the city’s North End early Monday morning. The incident, which occurred around 2:27 a.m., is now being probed by Manitoba’s police watchdog, the Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) .
According to the Winnipeg Police Service, a North District officer was patrolling near Aikins Street and College Avenue when he heard multiple gunshots. The officer went to investigate and encountered an 18-year-old woman and a 16-year-old youth . Police state that a “use of force encounter occurred” during which the officer discharged his firearm, striking the woman .
Officers provided immediate emergency medical care. The woman was transported to the hospital in unstable condition but has since been upgraded to stable condition .
Investigators have determined that the woman and the youth are linked to a shooting that took place outside a residence in the 300 block of College Avenue at roughly the same time as the initial gunfire . A firearm was recovered from the suspects, and the 16-year-old youth has been arrested .
As the incident meets the criteria for a serious incident under The Police Services Act, the IIU was notified and has taken over the investigation . The IIU is an independent civilian agency responsible for investigating any police-involved incident that results in serious injury or death . All further inquiries regarding the investigation are to be directed to the IIU .
