A pal of a person who was shot deceased by Hamilton police over the weekend says his household is looking for solutions after the province’s police watchdog indicated a gun battle had taken place between officers and the sufferer.
The Particular Investigations Unit (SIU) stated that officers had been dispatched to an residence constructing on Primary Avenue West in Hamilton on Saturday night time at round 5 p.m., after a resident stated they’d been threatened by a person.
When officers reached the constructing, the SIU stated they grew to become concerned with a suspect earlier than two officers fired their weapons on the man, and he was struck by a bullet.
He was then transported to hospital, the place he died shortly earlier than 1 a.m. Sunday morning.
Initially, on Saturday, the SIU reported that officers and the person had been concerned in a gunfight and that an officer had been struck by a bullet as effectively, however they later clarified that the person had not shot a gun.
Story continues under commercial
The police watchdog says that an officer was harm and wanted to be handled in hospital for minor accidents earlier than being launched.
Get breaking Nationwide information
For information impacting Canada and around the globe, join breaking information alerts delivered on to you after they occur.
Afterward Monday, a spokesperson for the SIU informed Ontario Chronicle stated it had “collected a replica firearm from the scene.”
The SIU says {that a} autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning in Toronto.
Extra on Canada
Extra movies
Josephine Murphy, the founding father of non-profit Shelter Them Rwanda, informed Ontario Chronicle the sufferer is Erixon Kabera. She stated she has recognized him for 20 years since she first arrived from Rwanda. Kabera got here as a refugee earlier than changing into a Canadian citizen.
In a submit on X, Murphy shared an announcement from Kabera’s household and mates, which took subject with the narrative of how the taking pictures unfolded.
“Police initially described the situation as ‘an exchange of gunfire,’ insinuating that Erixon himself had a firearm and engaged the officers,” the assertion learn partially.
“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.”
Trending Now
How Canadian shoppers can spot counterfeit $2 cash
Ukraine assaults Moscow with 34 drones, greatest strike on the Russian capital
It went on to say: “We find that reversal of crucial facts, a full day after telling the entire world otherwise and painting an image of violence for our very own, to be deeply outrageous and unnerving.”
Story continues under commercial
Murphy, who serves as an advisor to the Rwandan Canadian Therapeutic Centre, alongside Kabera, stated that they had been each survivors of the Rwandan Genocide. She stated that his household was in shock over the incident.
“They don’t know how to make sense out of it,” she stated.
RCHC govt director Kizito Musabimana stated that Kabera’s estranged spouse informed him that he had been shot 4 instances by police.
He credited Kabera as being a person who stepped in to assist nevertheless he may inside the Rwandan Canadian neighborhood.
The 2 officers who fired their weapons are actually beneath investigation; two different officers have been recognized as witnesses, the SIU stated.
The SIU is an impartial company that investigates incidents involving police which have resulted in dying, critical damage or alleged sexual assault.
*With recordsdata from Ontario Chronicle’ Catherine McDonald
© 2024 Ontario Chronicle, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
