Nearly a week after arrests in death of 17-year-old in Prince George, no charges have been laid

Nearly a week after the death of a 17-year-old and the arrest of three youths, the B.C. Prosecution Service says no charges have been laidin the case.

"I can confirm that no one is currently in custody in relation to this investigation and no charges have been laid against anyone at this time," Damienne Darby, spokesperson for the B.C. Prosecution Service, told CBC News in an email Tuesday.

The service approves charges to be pursued in court after receiving investigative reports from policing bodies such as the RCMP.

RCMP spokesperson Jennifer Cooper told CBCNews that no updates on the investigation are available.

Officers responded to a report of a stabbing in the 1600-block of Pine Street in the early hours of March 28, RCMP said last week. A 17-year-oldmale was takento hospital with critical injuries and later died.

RCMP saidthey arrested three youthsshortly after the incident.

At the time, police said they believed the incident was isolated with no risk to the general public, and that the investigation was ongoing.

The death is the fifth potential homicide in the north-central B.C. community in 2024. Police are also investigatingtwo fatal shootings in the downtown area in January and February, and the discovery of two bodies over a single weekend in March.

Support for students

On Tuesday the first day back in class following spring break and Easter parents at Prince George Secondary received a letter informing them that a Grade 11 student had died over the break.

It happened "during an incident in the community with other youth," wrote principal Randy Halpape, adding that the death is a "criminal matter and is currently under investigation by the RCMP."

"Out of respect for the family, please refrain from commenting on social media regarding the details of this event. Details on social media are not always accurate and may re-traumatize those who are affected or in mourning," the letter said.

The letter also encouraged parents and guardians to talk to their children about the death and provideda list of available supports and counselling services.

The school district said supports are also being offered at other schools where students may be impacted.