Residents of Wolseley, Saskatchewan, are mourning the loss of a community member who was shot and killed on his 18th birthday.

A news release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) states that officers from the Indian Head detachment responded to a shooting at a home in Wolseley around 4 a.m. CST on Sunday. They found Windigo injured and emergency services pronounced her dead at the scene.

In a post on Facebook, Keilia’s mother Kristen Windigo described her daughter as a beacon of hope, strength and positivity.

“Keilia was such a wonderful daughter, sister, cousin, niece, granddaughter and great-granddaughter. She loved everyone and never had an ounce of hate in her heart. You could wrong her and she would forgive you in an instant,” Kristen wrote.

“She only saw the good in people, everyone was a diamond in her eyes. Keilia was full of life, joy and happiness. She brought happiness and comfort to every room she entered.”

According to RCMP, a juvenile has been charged with manslaughter in connection with Keilia’s death. The Saskatchewan Provincial Court confirmed that the accused is a 17-year-old male. Because he is a minor, his name cannot be released.

Gerald Hill, mayor of Wolseley, confirmed that Keila was shot while celebrating her 18th birthday.

Hill said the death had shocked the city.

“My first thoughts are shock and disbelief. I can’t understand why or what happened. It just makes me sick,” Hill said.

“I just can’t comprehend it and I know a lot of other people feel the same way. It doesn’t feel real.”

Gerald Hill, mayor of Wolseley, said the death had shocked the town and that incidents like this were rare. (Germain Wilson/CBC)

A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help the family with funeral and living expenses since the family is not allowed to return to their home until police arrive on the scene, Kristen said.

The RCMP stated in its press release that the accused teenager, who is a member of the Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation, faces ten charges:

• One count of manslaughter with a firearm.

• One count of knowingly possessing a firearm without authorization.

• One count of pointing a firearm.

• One count of possession of a loaded restricted firearm without a permit.

• Six cases of illegal possession of weapons.

The accused appeared in Regina provincial court on Monday and his next appearance in Fort Qu’Appelle is scheduled for Thursday, according to the provincial court.