On February 7, 2021, a 45-year-old inmate at Headingley Correctional Centre (HCC) was transported to hospital after a confrontation with staff at the provincial facility.
On February 14, the inmate died at Health Sciences Centre.
Following his death the inmate’s family identified him as William Walter Ahmo. Ahmo was a member of Sagkeeng First Nation.
The family is calling for an independent investigation into Ahmo’s death but do not want law enforcement to conduct it.
“We also demand that a truly independent investigation into Will’s death be conducted. Not by the Winnipeg Police, the RCMP or the IIU, all of whom have shown that they cannot be trusted to ensure that justice is done,” said a statement from the family.
Circumstances surrounding the incident not previously released were shared with News 4 from a confirmed source with first-hand knowledge of what happened.
News 4 has agreed not to release the identity of the source out of concern for their safety and repercussions from their employer and investigators.
Ahmo had come into the correction system most recently after his arrest in January 2021. He spent approximately 10 days at the Winnipeg Remand Centre before being transferred to Headingley Correctional Centre.
An unconfirmed report indicated that prior to his arrest Ahmo had spent several days under the influence of methamphetamines and was subject to violent episodes.
Around 10:00 am on Sunday, February 7, 2021, Ahmo was in a sub-unit off the rotunda area when he was approached by a staff member to return to his cell.
Ahmo allegedly took exception to the request and “went off” on the staff member. “He began to break the televisions, ripped a hot water tank off the wall and became belligerent. He then grabbed a broom handle and snapped it in two, using it as a weapon,” said the source. “It became apparent that he was having a mental health crisis but apart from talking little could be done while he was armed.”
According to the source attempts were made to deescalate the situation but Ahmo was too agitated to respond to the requests.
Shortly after Ahmo improvised the weapon, one staff member was taken hostage for a short time inside an office but was able to slip away when Ahmo was distracted.
After nearly three hours the situation continued to escalate and Ahmo became more aggressive and belligerent. Members of the Manitoba Corrections Emergency Response Unit (CERU) were called in. “The team is highly trained to deal specifically with these types of situations.”
When the team arrived Ahmo was on the second tier of the unit. OC gas (pepper spray) was deployed in an effort to keep him on the upper tier.
According to the source, during this time multiple attempts were made to negotiate a successful outcome with Ahmo without success.
CERU learned that earlier use of OC was causing medical distress for other inmates and they were forced to end the incident quickly.
At that point CERU was seen using a device that emits a bright light and loud bang to distract the inmate but Ahmo was seen walking towards it when it went off knocking him to the ground.
According to the source, Ahmo was back on his feet in seconds, charging the CERU line and swinging the broom sticks. Officers with arm shields were able to stave off the attack while other officers surrounded Ahmo and wrestled him to the ground.
News 4 was told Ahmo was seen continuing to fight with the CERU members while hand cuffs and leg restraints were put on. “He was strong and kept fighting even after the restraints were on so he had to be put in a restraint chair.”
After Ahmo was placed in the chair he became unresponsive. He was immediately removed from the chair and his handcuffs and leg restraints were removed so medical personnel, already on scene, could provide assistance.
Ahmo was then transported to Health Sciences Centre for further treatment.
The incident was recorded on video and there is an objective moment by moment record of how it unfolded, News 4 was told.
“All of the officers conducted themselves in a professional way during the incident.” the source said. ” The video footage taken by the CERU camera operator will show that.”
Southern Chiefs’ Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels is demanding an immediate investigation into the death of Ahmo.
“Make no mistake, everyone from the staff at HCI to those providing care at HSC must provide clarity and be held accountable,” said Daniels. “At the very least, William’s family and friends deserve to know the circumstances that lead to the death of their loved one.”
RCMP Major Crime Services continues to investigate.
An autopsy will have been ordered to determine the cause of Ahmo’s death but the results are unlikely to be released while the investigation is underway.
Under section 7.1(1) of the Fatality Inquiries Act the Chief Medical Examiner is required to call an inquest into Ahmo’s death due to him being an inmate at a correctional facility.
Manitoba Correction officials and the RCMP have not released any details surrounding the incident.
© News4.ca 2021
