Cop not criminally responsible in shooting

Manitoba’s police watchdog investigation has found a RCMP officer not criminally responsible and no charges will be laid, following a fatal police shooting in Dominion City earlier this year.

In its report released on Oct. 2, the IIU (Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba) concluded its investigation into the death of a 33-year-old man outside his Dominion City home on Jan.14.

A civilian witness told the IIU the victim was previously taken to hospital a few days before the incident for mental health treatment, but was sent away only with medication for depression and anxiety.

On the day of the incident, she said she found the victim mixed the pill bottles to commit suicide. The victim also injected himself with testosterone and became angry, threatening to kill his family and “whoever showed up,” she told investigators.

The victim grabbed multiple knives from the kitchen and left the home. The witness collected her children, locked the door once he left and called 911, saying the victim was armed. He later returned, banging on the locked door.

The officer who shot the victim declined being interviewed by investigators, and instead submitted a written statement about the events.

When he arrived on the scene, the officer was alerted that the male had three knives and was intoxicated. He was told the victim was in the garage. The officer moved his police vehicle to block the male as he was attempting to drive through the garage door.

The male left the garage and walked toward the officer with a metal pipe in his hand, after he was asked to leave with his hands up. The officer asked the male to drop the weapon multiple times, but the male kept moving forward.

Video evidence submitted to the investigator also showed the victim exit the garage and walk toward the officer with a metal object in his hand, the report said.

When the victim was roughly 10 feet away, the officer shot the man to protect himself. A preliminary autopsy found the victim died from a single gunshot wound. A toxicology report discovered the victim had multiple substances in his blood, including cocaine, lorazepam and ketamine.

“Having reviewed all the evidence available in this tragic situation, I am of the opinion that the subject officer’s actions were reasonable in the circumstances. Therefore, no charges are recommended and the IIU investigation is now completed and closed, ” said Bruce Sychuk, IIU’s acting civilian director.