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A minor is dead and another was seriously injured following an incident involving a firearm late Sunday afternoon in the municipality of Saint-Vallier in Bellechasse, Que.
Police were first called to a home on De Valléville Road in the town located across the St. Lawrence River from Quebec City around 4 p.m. on Sunday.
When they arrived, police say they found a minor shot and unconscious. They were transported to hospital where they were declared dead.
The Centre de services scolaire de la Côte-du-Sud, a regional school service centre, says the minor who died was a female student at a local elementary school. A spokesperson said the other minor is not from one of their schools.
Provincial police are not confirming the ages, genders or relationship between the two minors.
The school service centre says a team of professionals were present at the school on Monday to offer psychological support following the incident.
A police spokesperson said the second injured minor was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. They are in stable condition.
Too soon to say whether accidental or not
Alain Vallières, mayor of Saint-Vallier, said it was with profound sadness that he learned about the incident and the death of a young person.
He says the two young people were well-respected and engaged in the community.
“It’s a shock for the entire community,” he said. “There are no words.”
He said he is waiting on the results of the investigation but extended his condolences to the family. He says the community of just over 450 people is tightly knit.
Provincial police set up a command post and on Monday morning, several patrol cars were present at the residence.
Police say it’s too soon to confirm the circumstances surrounding the incident and whether or not it was accidental, especially because police have not yet been able to question the second minor.
The investigation is ongoing and police have confirmed the incident is not related to organized crime in the region.
