“You Ruined My Life”: Crown Refuses to Lay Charges on Cops who Brutalized Innocent 17-Year-Old Girl
- Mocha Bezirgan
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
On November 13, 2023, 17-year-old Haylie Nahamko-White stepped off the bus after her lifeguard shift. In a terrifying instant, two men jumped from an unmarked car and violently tackled her to the ground. Convinced she was being kidnapped, Haylie never saw a badge.
She had no idea the two men were Edmonton Police officers — and she fought desperately for her life. The brutal assault left her unconscious and bleeding, inflicting permanent physical and emotional injuries that still haunt her today.
The common-sense-defying excuse police came up with was that the officers mistook 17-year-old Haylie for a 25-year-old Asian female suspect.
“My teeth fell out, but my braces held them in. I had bolt patches — I still do. My SI joint and my hip is completely torn. I still suffer from severe pain. I’m going to be 20 here and I still deal with it… I still have nightmares.”
For nearly three years, the identities of the two Edmonton Police officers who brutalized Haylie Nahamko-White have been shielded from the public.
Today, in the public interest, Media Bezirgan is naming them for the first time following Alberta Crown prosecutors, under Justice Minister Mickey Amery, ruled that no criminal charges will be laid against the officers.
Haylie has identified Constable Kavin Ban (Regimental #4470 ) as the officer who tackled her to the ground. According to Haylie, Ban knocked her unconscious, causing blood on the back of her head and leaving her severely injured on the pavement. Constable Nishant Happy (Regimental #4287) was the second officer present during the incident.
“You assaulted a 17-year-old child.”
Charlene Nahamko, mother of Haylie, vows to continue her fight for accountability against the Edmonton Police Service while also battling stage-4 cancer.
“I’m not going away without fighting to the bitter end for my daughter. — So stand up, the two of you — grow a pair and take responsibility. — I don’t know how you sleep at night. Those stripes mean nothing. You’re a coward in stripes.”
In this exclusive interview, the Nahamko family, who are Indigenous, opens up about the death threats and hateful messages they received from pro-police fanatics after then-Chief Dale McFee’s comments that appeared to blame 17-year-old Haylie for the incident — and how profoundly her life has been altered by the severe physical and mental injuries she suffered.
Fighting for justice in Canada is expensive. While Charlene battles stage-4 cancer, she and Haylie are still fighting the system for accountability. If you’re able to help them, please consider donating to their GoFundMe.
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