Seven youths charged with 2nd-degree murder in connection with Edmonton teen homicide

Seven minors ranging in age from 14 to 17 were charged with second-degree murder in connection with the homicide of a teenager who was stabbed outside his Edmonton high school earlier this month.

An autopsy earlier this week confirmed the cause of death of 16-year-old Karanveer Sahota was a stab wound to the chest.

BACKGROUND: Teen dead after alleged assault at McNally High School

Sahota was waiting for the bus outside Edmonton’s McNally High School on April 8 when he was allegedly assaulted. The teenager died of his injuries April 15.

Edmonton police charged a 15-year-old boy, a 16-year-old boy and a 17-year-old girl with second-degree murder on Thursday. The girl is also facing a charge of obstruction.

Two 14-year-old boys, a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy were charged with second-degree murder on Friday.

Police say six of the minors were arrested within the first week following the stabbing.

“There were several witnesses, people who had to be spoken to, video that had to be seized and reviewed. There were just a lot of moving parts,” said Edmonton police Supt. Shane Perka.

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Their charges of attempted murder were upgraded to second-degree murder when Sahota died in hospital and the autopsy was completed on Wednesday, determining it to be a homicide.

“(Thursday) was the first day we coordinated to re-arrest on the new charges, and did so on five of the seven youths,” said Perka. “Another was re-arrested this morning, and the last turned themselves in less than an hour ago.”

Edmonton police investigators believe the incident was the “escalation of violence between two rival groups,” and that the victim was known to the suspects.

“We believe there were two groups that kind of had an ongoing rivalry or feud between each other, historically,” added Perka. “Although it never saw violence in this fashion, but that’s what led to the events at McNally.”

WATCH: Seven suspects identified and charges pending in Edmonton student homicide (April 21)