by Two police officers in the western Canadian province of Alberta were shot and killed on the job while responding to a family argument.
The suspect in the fatal shooting is a 16-year-old man, police in the city of Edmonton have said.
Police say the teen died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The teen’s mother, a 55-year-old woman, was also shot and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The officers killed were Travis Jordan, 35, and Brett Ryan, 30. Both worked for the Edmonton Police Department. Mr. Jordan had been on the force for over eight years, while Mr. Ryan had been an officer for over five years.
Police Chief Dale McFee said the two officers were shot on Thursday after responding to a call for a domestic dispute at an Edmonton apartment complex at around 00:47 local time (06:47 GMT).
The call was made by the suspect’s mother, police said, and officers met her outside the building. As they approached the apartment, the officers at the door were shot multiple times by a young male suspect.
Devin Laforce, the chief investigator for the Edmonton Police Department, said neither officer fired their firearms because they had “no opportunity” to do so. They were also unaware that the teen had a gun before he arrived, as the first 911 number did not report it.
Deputy Chief Laforce said the suspect and his mother then got into an argument, in which she was also shot.
Police have not named the suspect or his mother, who is in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Chief McFee said the two officers received immediate help and were rushed to hospital. “Unfortunately, they were both pronounced dead in hospital,” he said.
Deputy Chief Laforce said the teen was known to police, who had responded to the apartment for “non-violent” mental health calls in the past. The suspect had no criminal record, he said.
Police have not disclosed what type of weapon was used in the shooting and say they are currently investigating where it came from.
Condolences have been poured in from several police forces across Canada, including in Vancouver and Toronto, as well as from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
“Every day, police officers endanger themselves to protect people,” Trudeau said in a post on Twitter. “The news that two Edmonton police officers were killed on the job reminds us of that reality. My condolences to the officers’ loved ones and colleagues – we are here for you.”
Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi described it as a “very difficult and sad day”.
“Every day, the families of the police officers send their loved ones to work, hoping they will get home safely,” Sohi said.
“We hold you in our hearts as you mourn this deep loss and we grieve with you,” he said.
In Canada, eight police officers have been killed on the job in the past six months. The other fatalities occurred in Ontario and British Columbia.
