The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred in North River Heights on November 11, 2019.

According to the notification received on November 11, 2019, the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) advised an officer fired shots while attempting to stop a stolen vehicle in the North River Heights neighbourhood. The stolen vehicle was later found abandoned, and a small amount of blood was observed in the driver’s seat and on the steering wheel of the vehicle.

As this matter concerned the possible injury to a person resulting from a discharge of a firearm by a police officer, the IIU assumed responsibility for this mandatory investigation and a team of IIU investigators was assigned to the investigation.

The blood sample was sent for DNA analysis to ascertain if an individual could be identified. There was a considerable delay encountered in proceeding with this investigation due to the time passing for the DNA analysis on the blood found in the stolen vehicle to be completed. It was not until September 2020, that the blood sample analysis was completed and an individual was identified. That individual was located in Calgary, Alberta in November 2020.

One WPS officer was identified as a subject officer (SO), and one WPS officer was designated as a witness officer. The affected person (AP) was identified and interviewed. In addition, information obtained by IIU investigators included:

  • WPS radio transmissions
  • GPS records for police vehicles
  • NICHE report list
  • notes and prepared statement of SO
  • forensic identification reports
  • narrative report
  • WPS policy on use of service firearms

In this investigation, the IIU’s mandate was to investigate the conduct of the WPS officer. Following a detailed review of this IIU investigation and file material, the civilian director referred the entire investigative file to the Manitoba Prosecution Service (MPS). MPS has advised there is no reasonable likelihood of a conviction in relation to any criminal code charge arising from SO’s use and discharge of his service firearm. Accordingly, IIU has completed its investigation and this file is closed.