RCMP considered a number of factors before laying criminal charges against a Rocky Mountain House man in connection with the unusual death of a teenaged boy in September, says a police spokesman.
Sgt. Patrick Webb said on Sunday an extensive investigation was conducted into the death of a 15-year-old on Sept. 7 in Rocky.
On that day, Tanner Mayer and his friend were inside a vehicle outside a home when one of them picked up what appeared to be an ordinary pen. The discharger went off while being handled and Mayer was struck in the chest at close range.
He died in hospital of his injuries.
“Since that time, we’ve gathered evidence, done interviews as to what happened and received forensic evidence from an autopsy,” said Webb. “We consulted the Crown prosecutor’s office to see if it was appropriate to lay charges and what those charges would be. We have since gotten a reply from the crown’s office and that’s why those charges were laid.”
Police have now laid charges against the father of the surviving youth because it’s alleged he built the device, Webb said.
There’s no indication of foul play, he added.
James Alexander Rose, 41, will be in Rocky Mountain House provincial court on Dec. 2 on charges of criminal negligence causing death, manufacture of a prohibited device and careless use of a prohibited device.