Winnipeg police shoot and kill teen girl

A sixteen-year-old girl died after she was shot by Winnipeg police while driving a stolen SUV involved in a Liquor Mart robbery, according to CBC News.

Five teens have been accused of robbing the Sage Creek liquor store on Wednesday, shortly before 5:30 p.m.

The teens, who are all 15 or 16 years old, allegedly threatened the store staff with violence before they left with stolen alcohol.

The SUV ran into a police cruiser that was responding to the incident and proceeded to speed off, say police.

As the SUV was being chased down by police officers it continued to run into vehicles before crashing and being brought to a halt close to Fermor Avenue and Lagimodiere Boulevard.

Officers then shot the girl as they approached the SUV.

Police Chief Danny Smyth said he did not know why police began shooting at the girl.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba is now investigating the incident.

The girl was transported to the hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead when she arrived, according to police.

The other four teenagers received charges of possession of stolen property, robbery, wearing a disguise and failure to comply with previous court orders.

Police say that no other people involved in the incident were injured.

The vehicle was stolen from a Whytewold, Manitoba home on Tuesday.

Another similar officer-involved shooting incident that took place on Thursday is being investigated by the IIU.

“Two officer-involved shootings, one in southeast Winnipeg and one in the North End of Winnipeg, about 11 hours apart,” said the IIU's civilian director, Zane Tessler.

“[It's] challenging on its own and compounded with the COVID-19 influence now as well.”

Smyth noted that over a dozen officers involved in the two incidents will be checked on “so that we can ensure that they are okay.”

“The vast majority of these officers have never been involved in anything like this.”