Hamilton’s police chief is trying to set the document straight on a number of “factual inaccuracies” that he says have been circulating relating to the deadly police-involved capturing of a 43-year-old father of three within the metropolis over the weekend.
In an announcement launched on Wednesday, Chief Frank Bergen provided his condolences to the household of Erixon Kabera in addition to the Rwandan neighborhood.
Bergen then spoke to “recent information circulating regarding this incident,” particularly the shootout between the person and two cops that the province’s Particular Investigations Unit (SIU) stated had initially occurred.
“At no time did Hamilton Police release any information related to an exchange of gunfire. All information issued after this initial post has been released by the SIU as part of their ongoing investigation,” he stated, including that Hamilton police didn’t determine the individual officers had an interplay with.
On Nov. 10, greater than 24 hours after its first launch, the SIU issued an replace, which said it did “not appear” that Kabera had fired a gun in the course of the incident.
The next day, spokesperson Monica Hudon informed CP24.com that SIU investigators collected a reproduction firearm from the scene and firearms from the 2 topic officers.
“It is important to us, and to our commitment to transparency, that the facts are accurately shared with the public,” Bergen stated on Wednesday morning.
“This investigation is ongoing, and there are limited facts I can share at this time as the SIU is the agency investigating the circumstances surrounding the events of November 9. Once SIU invokes its mandate, information is released to the public by the SIU.”
Bergen re-affirmed the incident occurred after a constructing resident known as police after a male who was believed to be in possession of a handgun confirmed up at their door.
He additionally pointed to a social media put up HPS launched on the evening of the capturing, which famous that “an officer was injured after responding to a 911 call, where he was confronted by a male with a firearm.”
Hamilton Police are investigating after an officer was injured after responding to a 911 name, the place he was confronted by a male with a firearm.
The officer has been transported to hospital with non-life-threatening accidents.
An grownup male has additionally been transported to hospital…
— Hamilton Police (@HamiltonPolice) November 9, 2024
“I know there are many unanswered questions and I trust the SIU will work to address these in a full, timely, transparent manner,” Bergen stated, including that he’s been in contact with the Rwandan neighborhood and “made ourselves available to meet when the community is ready.”
“While I won’t be able to share details about what took place, I want to ensure the community the lines of communication remain open.”
Frank Bergen Hamilton police Chief Frank Bergen is seen on this undated picture. (Hamilton Police Service)
Bergen’s assertion comes the day earlier than the Rwandan-Canadian neighborhood of Hamilton holds a vigil and peaceable march in Kabera’s honour. The gathering is about to get underway at 6 p.m. exterior Hamilton Metropolis Corridor.
‘Deeply outrageous and unnerving’
The person’s household spoke out earlier this week about what they described because the “police’s portrayal” of the incident.
“We, his family and close friends, found this explanation deeply troubling. Erixon was not known to possess a gun, nor did he have a history of condoning or engaging in any type of violence. He was a peaceful man who valued harmony and community, making this claim profoundly difficult to reconcile with the person we knew and loved,” they stated in a written assertion.
Kabera’s household stated the SIU’s “reversal of crucial facts” is “deeply outrageous and unnerving.”
“As we grieve this senseless loss, we respectfully ask for transparency and accountability from the authorities. Whether it’s police bodycam footage, surveillance videos from the building or any other pieces of evidence, we want to know details of the altercation so that we can understand the truth of what happened in Erixon’s final moments,” they stated.
“Our family deserves answers, clarity and peace, and we stand firm in our belief that Erixon was not armed, nor would he act in a way that would justify this result.
“Erixon Kabera was a remarkable man whose life was dedicated to love, service, and compassion. We miss him deeply, and we seek only the truth to honor his memory.”
Erixon Kabera Erixon Kabera, a father of three and well-known member of the Rwandan-Canadian neighborhood, died after after being shot by police in Hamilton on Nov. 9. (Equipped)
Kabera, who was often known as Gentil, was very concerned within the Rwandan neighborhood, which can also be talking out about his loss of life.
Alphonse Barikage, president of the Rwandan Group Overseas (RCA) in Toronto, informed CP24.com that the neighborhood is “hurting and devastated.”
“We were shocked to hear that he died,” he stated, including that Kabera will probably be “fondly remembered for his exemplary sense of service and community, always first to respond when someone in the community needed support.”
“Hearing that (Erixon) died in a shoot out with police has made the community question the first version of the story presented by the authorities. That is so out of character for this gentle soul that the community is asking for full transparency and accountability.”
Kabera served because the group’s vice-president from 2018 to 2022.
The Rwandan Canadian Therapeutic Centre (RCHC), the place Kabera was as a “cherished advisory board member,” has additionally issued an announcement.
“Mr. Kabera was unjustifiably shot and killed by officers of the Hamilton Police Service at his apartment on Nov. 9, 2024. Initial incorrect police reports claimed that he was armed, but further investigations reversed them a day later,” they wrote.
“The original false reports were egregiously inconsistent with the character of our board advisor. Mr. Kabera was a dedicated member of our organization for close to 10 years. Honesty, kindness, effortless infectious laughter and compassion characterized him.”
The centre is asking for a “full and transparent investigation into events” main as much as the loss of life of Kabera, whom they described as a “leader dedicated to uplifting his community.”
The Rwandan Canadian Therapeutic Centre stated that it is going to be organising a memorial fund to honour Kabera’s legacy and his “service to our community.”
Hamilton Centre MP Matthew Inexperienced together with Hamilton Centre MPP Sara Jama and Kojo Damptey, a McMaster session teacher and neighborhood member, have additionally written a letter demanding solutions about Kabera’s loss of life.
“Reports initially released by the Hamilton Police Service that suggested Erixon had exchanged gun fire with police at his time of death have been proven false, according to information released by the province’s Special Investigations Unit. Reports of ‘suspicious activity’ in the area prior to his death also appear to be questionable and racially loaded,” they wrote.
“There are so many unanswered questions that must be addressed in a full, timely, and transparent manner: Why did the Chief of Police allow false information to be released about Erixon carrying a weapon? Why was the Chief of Police so quick to highlight the gun-related injuries to his officers, when according to the SIU report, Erixon did not shoot at police? Why won’t video footage from the hallways where this incident took place be released to the family? Why did Erixon’s family and sons first find out about his death from an online post from HPS? What ‘suspicious activity in the neighbourhood’ led to Erixon’s violent death in his own home? Why won’t the names of the officers who killed Erixon be released to the public?”
In his assertion, Bergen stated that whereas there are “many unanswered questions” in regards to the incident he trusts the SIU will work to handle them in a “full, timely, transparent manner.”
