The three officers involved in the fatal shooting of a suspect on January 11, 2019, have been cleared of any wrongdoing by Manitoba’s police watchdog agency.
January 11, 2019.
The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) completed their investigation and have concluded that the use of lethal force was justified and unavoidable. Civilian Director of the IIU Zane Tessler said in a statement that the officers decision to shoot the suspect was necessary to prevent the death or injury to themselves or other officers in the vicinity.
( Keegan Driedger / News 4 )
The incident began as officers were on the lookout for a 26-year-old man wanted in connection with a domestic assault. The suspect was spotted near Sargent and Maryland but when police approached him he took off running. Police caught up to him about two blocks away.
IIU investigators say the suspect was armed with a hatchet. When the male entered an empty lot on Sherbrook just south of Sargent he threatened officer with the weapon.
Police shot the man with tasers but they had no effect. When the suspect pulled his arm back to throw the hatchet three officers fired their sidearms.
The suspect was taken to hospital but died shortly afterwards.
IIU investigators talked to the officers involved along with several police witnesses and seven civilian witnesses. They also reviewed security video footage that showed the suspect holding the hatchet as well as cellphone video from witnesses.
A drug analysis of the mans blood showed methamphetamine and amphetamine in his blood.
You can read the report in the link below.
LINK | IIU REPORT
© News4.ca 2020
