A detailed good friend of a person who was fatally shot by Hamilton police over the weekend says he witnessed Erixon Kabera’s final moments in hospital, and is now becoming a member of requires an intensive investigation into his demise.
A detailed good friend of a person who was fatally shot by Hamilton police over the weekend says he witnessed Erixon Kabera’s final moments in hospital, and is now becoming a member of requires an intensive investigation into his demise.
Andy Ganza stated he acquired a name from Kabera’s girlfriend, telling him she was on her method to Hamilton Basic Hospital and that his good friend was within the working room.
“I rushed my means all the way down to the hospital … we went to the room, each of us, his girlfriend and myself, they usually informed us he was not going to make it,” he stated in an interview Thursday.
“I consider he was in his final moments, after which they got here again 10 minutes later to inform us that he had handed.”
Kabera, 43, died within the early morning hours on Sunday, after police had been known as to a Hamilton condo constructing late Saturday afternoon.
Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating the circumstances of his demise, and has stated that Hamilton police had been responding to reviews of a person “performing in a threatening method.”
The Particular Investigations Unit’s preliminary assertion stated there was an “alternate of gunfire” with police, however later issued an replace that stated it doesn’t seem the person had discharged a firearm earlier than he was shot.
Kabera’s household – who’ve stated he had no historical past of any type of violence – decried what it known as “a reversal of essential information,” however the SIU stated the preliminary information launch was based mostly on info out there on the time. The watchdog has additionally stated {that a} “reproduction firearm” was collected from the scene.
Ganza stated the native Rwandan Canadian group and Kabera’s members of the family will demand solutions in regards to the police taking pictures at a march and vigil being held at Hamilton Metropolis Corridor Thursday night.
“The statements in regards to the occasions and/or the investigation haven’t been constant and it has been irritating for us, for the household,” he stated. “We would like the reality. We’re demanding thorough investigation that’s clear.”
Ganza stated he has recognized Kabera for 10 years they usually turned shut over the past seven years, after his good friend moved to Hamilton.
He stated Kabera began a household enterprise together with his uncle a 12 months and a half in the past, distributing produce, and he had labored as a public servant on the Canada Income Company.
Ganza stated his good friend’s demise has been extraordinarily troublesome, particularly for Kabera’s three kids, who vary in age between 10 and 17, and his 4 siblings.
Two of these siblings stay in Canada and have travelled to Hamilton from Regina and Gatineau, Que., Ganza stated.
“I needed to announce to them over the cellphone whereas on their means that he has handed away,” he stated.
“It has been very, very onerous, extraordinarily onerous.”
Ganza stated he began a GoFundMe marketing campaign to boost cash to assist the household cowl the prices of the funeral and getting authorized illustration.
“The funeral service might be held on Saturday however he won’t be buried right here,” he stated. “The physique might be flown again residence (to Rwanda). That’s what the household determined.”
Hamilton’s police Chief Frank Bergen has expressed condolences to Kabera’s household and acknowledged that “there are various unanswered questions.”
“I belief the SIU will work to handle these in a full, well timed, clear method,” Bergen stated in an announcement.
Kabera’s household has known as his demise “mindless” and demanded “transparency and accountability” from authorities.
“We need to know particulars of the altercation in order that we will perceive the reality of what occurred in Erixon’s closing moments,” they stated in an announcement earlier this week.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Nov. 14, 2024.
Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press
