‘Brutal failure’: Edmonton police, outreach workers seeing rise in youth violence
Posted August 19, 2026 4:43 pm.
Last Updated August 19, 2026 6:38 pm.
Those working to keep youth away from violence in Edmonton say two recent homicides are a tragic reminder of their work.
Earlier this month, a 12-year-old boy was found killed north of the city. And early Sunday morning, a 16-year-old girl was shot and killed in northeast Edmonton.
“Obviously, the youth violence problem in our city is huge. We are deeply affected by the deaths that happened recently as well,” said Cayleigh Ouellette, who runs the “Relentless” program at YOUCAN Youth Services.
“Many of our youth are in the same circles. These groups of high-risk youth, they’re all the same group of kids. It’s painful when those things happen, and it’s a really, really brutal failure of a lot of systems.”
The “Relentless” program has partnered with Edmonton police to work with at-risk youth – everyone from first-time offenders to those on trial for major crimes. The program offers help with housing, schooling, employment, and mentorship from leaders.
Ouellette says despite their work, the recent homicides of two Edmonton youths this month is an example of how youth violence in the city has become worse over the past several years.
“We are seeing younger and younger involved in more heinous, violent offences that seemingly, they do not grasp the consequences of,” said Ouellette, the program’s outreach manager. “We understand that a lot of youth are taken advantage of, just because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act allows there to be a little more leniency than with adults. And we know that there are adults who take advantage of the system and utilize youth so they can benefit from that essentially.”
Earlier this week, EPS Chief Warren Driechel told CityNews violence among youth is indeed increasing.
“I think what is alarming with this is there are firearms involved, and they are happening in public places these murders. And I think that is very concerning,” the chief said.
Ouellette believes Canada’s youth criminal justice system needs to focus more on rehabilitating and providing options for at-risk youth who are incarcerated.
“If I’m under the thumb of substance abuse, mental-health issues, poor housing, poor family – I struggle to make better decisions. So giving kids time in custody, some time to engage with school, settle down, get some stable medication, just really learn what it’s like to be healthy and stable for a few weeks, is huge.”
