The weekend death of a Kelowna, B.C., teen is now being investigated as a homicide, RCMP said Monday.
Tristan Seeger, 15, was struck by a vehicle at around 4 p.m. Saturday in a crash near the intersection of Houghton and Franklyn Roads. He succumbed to his injuries Sunday morning.
Now, RCMP are saying the crash was connected to a bear-spraying incident that happened not long before the fatal crash. That incident, RCMP said, “involved a group of teens which resulted in a number of people being bear sprayed.”
Investigators said the victim is believed to have been struck by the vehicle was associated with the nearby prior bear spray incident.
“This is a very sensitive investigation and it is essential that we conduct it methodically and thoroughly to get it right” Cpl. Michael Gauthier said.
“The Kelowna RCMP offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the victim”
Officers from the Kelowna RCMP Serious Crime Unit have taken conduct of this homicide investigation and are currently interviewing witnesses and collecting additional evidence. The investigation is in the early stages and no arrests have been made.
The Kelowna RCMP are unable to comment further as they do not want to jeopardize the ongoing investigation.
Seeger’s mother, Paule, said during a Sunday vigil that while she couldn’t get into detail about what happened Saturday afternoon, she believes a man singled out her son and hit him with a vehicle.
“I don’t want retribution I don’t want people taking things into their own hands, I don’t want this being anything other than everyone doing what they need to do to figure out how to get justice for my son,” said Seeger.
“I want the coward to know that he may have killed my son, but he will never kill his memory.”
Anyone with video or information regarding these incidents are asked to phone the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 and refence file number 2023-63092.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://www.crimestoppers.net
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