Manitoba’s Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) says that the Winnipeg Police office who shot a youth in October of 2018 was justified.
The incident happened on in the early morning hours of October 4, 2018. Police received a report that a group of males were firing shots and banging on doors.
As officers arrived they saw one male with a rifle in his hands and ordered him to stop running. He refused. The 16-year-old male was holding the weapon in a way that led officers to believe he could have quickly turned and fired at them. One officer fired his handgun and hit the suspect in the right ring finger.
After a lengthy investigation and interviews with 14 witnesses IIU Civilian Director, Zane Tessler, determined it was reasonable for the officer to fire at the youth in an effort to prevent the death of other officers and civilians.
The male youth is facing charges related to the incident.
