Police in Winnipeg, the capital of Canadian province, Manitoba, announced that a 16-year-old Indigenous girl was shot and killed Wednesday night in an officer-involved shooting.

According to reports from Canada’s APTN News, Eishia Hudson, described as being a caring and devoted daughter, was last seen by her mother Christie Zebrasky Wednesday morning. Zebrasky said the teen returned home briefly from a sleepover at a friend’s house the night before to clean herself up before linking up with her friends again. 

“She said she would be back,” Zebrasky said.

Hours after Hudson left, her mother received a message from Hudson’s girlfriend saying the girl was in trouble.

Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth said officers responded to a liquor store robbery in the south end of the city around 5:30 p.m. when five teenage suspects tried to escape in a stolen vehicle.

“Several suspects had stolen alcohol while threatening to harm staff and fled in a stolen vehicle,” Smyth said. “During the pursuit the stolen vehicle collided with several other vehicles before the pursuit ended at the intersection of Lagimodiere (Boulevard) and Fermor Avenue.”

When officers tried to arrest the suspects, Smyth said Hudson was shot. She was transported to a local hospital where she later died.

In a Facebook post, Zebrasky wrote, “fly high my baby.” On Thursday, she spoke with several news outlets about her daughter’s legacy.

She told APTN that her daughter was “a bright teenager with a very, very huge heart. She loved all children.”

In the past year, Hudson gained four nieces and one nephew, whom she cherished.

“Eishia was a smart child. She never wanted to let me down,” Zebrasky told CTV Winnipeg.

There were no reported injuries to the other youth, all of whom are 15 or 16 years old, according to police.

This is the second time Winnipeg police have shot an Indigenous teen within the last six months. 

In November, a First Nations teen was shot during what police said was a failed robbery at a convenience store in Winnipeg, according to APTN News. The child survived and was later charged with robbery and weapon possession.

At a press conference Thursday, Smyth was asked when police should use deadly force.

“When an officer fears for their own life or the life and safety of others,” he responded. 

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, tasked with looking into the shootings, declined to provide further details.

Unfortunately for Hudson’s family, questions remain.

“Why did they draw a gun on my daughter? Why’d they shoot?” Zebrasky asked.

The four other teens in the vehicle are facing multiple charges stemming from the alleged robbery, police said.

A GoFundMe has been created for assistance with Hudson's memorial services.