The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has concluded its investigation into an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Winnipeg on October 7, 2020.
According to the notification received on October 7, 2020, the WPS advised three officers fired shots while attempting to get a man to drop an object, which appeared to be a gun, in his hand in the back alley. The man sustained a single gunshot wound to his left hip area, which exited his lower back. The man was taken to the Health Sciences Centre where he recovered from his injuries.
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.
Three WPS officer were identified as subject officers, and eight WPS officers were designated as witness officers. The affected person (AP) was identified and interviewed along with 11 civilian witnesses. In addition, information obtained by IIU investigators included:
- WPS briefing documents
- WPS call history
- WPS officers’ notes and narrative reports
- audio of telephone calls to 911
- WPS radio transmissions
- video footage taken by various eyewitnesses
- testing report regarding discharged firearms
- firearms’ qualifications for WPS officers
- NICHE report list
- WPS Forensic Identification Service (FIS) reports
- scene photographs
This investigation considered whether the actions of any, some or all of the three subject officers to shoot AP were justified at law. Following a detailed review of this IIU investigation and file material, the civilian director concluded the use of potential lethal force by each of the subject officers was authorized and justified by law and there are no reasonable grounds to support any charges against any or all of the subject officers. The IIU has completed its investigation and this matter is now closed.
