A 29-year-old Army reservist from a regiment in New Westminster has been identified as the soldier killed during a training exercise at a military base in Alberta.
The Canadian Armed Forces says Cpl. James Choi of the Royal Westminster Regiment in New Westminster was shot late Friday night while taking part in live-fire training at CFB Wainwright.
Choi, who was serving alongside members of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry at the time, was treated at the scene before being airlifted to an Edmonton hospital.
He died Saturday morning.
The incident is under investigation.
According to the Canadian Armed Forces, Choi joined in 2016 and was a trained infantry soldier.
Our hearts go out to the family of Cpl. James Choi who was a member of the Royal Westminster Regiment who died on Friday during a live-fire training exercise.
— Jonathan Cote (@jonathanxcote) November 1, 2020
Condolences have poured in from top military officials, as well as Federal Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.
"The Canadian Armed Forces, the Defence Team and Canadians are mourning the loss of one of our own, Cpl James Choi," Sajjan said in a statement.
"The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces will be there for his family during these difficult times as we grieve alongside you."
- With files from the Canadian Press
