[IPSM] 2nd police murder of an aboriginal man in manitoba in the last 2 months

[Devin Butler Burke]

Manitoba holds inquest into police shooting death

Last Updated Tue, 01 Feb 2005 20:08:38 EST
CBC News

WINNIPEG - Manitoba will hold a public inquest into the police shooting
death of an 18-year-old aboriginal man, Justice Minister Gord Mackintosh
said Tuesday.

Matthew Dumas was shot two times by Winnipeg police on Monday.

Police say Dumas fled from officers as they searched for robbery suspects.
When they caught up with him, police say Dumas brandished some type of
weapon and fought with them.

Several witnesses have said police had their pistols out when they were in
pursuit of the teen.

"I seen two police officers chasing the kid down," said Stan Guimond, who
lives in the neighbourhood. "Whether he had a weapon, I can't see. But I
seen the two police officers, they had their guns drawn when they were
chasing him."

His parents say they want to know why their son was shot.

"They chase somebody down, you know, what are they going to do? Shoot
first, ask question later, you know," said his stepfather, Leslie Dumas.

A statement released by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is calling for a
change in attitude by the Winnipeg police, and questions the correctness
of the details that have been released by police.

Police spokesman Const. Bob Johnson said the city's police chief has been
in contact with aboriginal groups about the shooting.

"I think the fact that Chief Ewatski has made immediate contact with the
Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, that we will make every effort to ensure that
the investigation is done in a fashion that's satisfactory to all the
parties
involved," says Johnson.

The justice minister said a Crown attorney from outside the province will
co-ordinate the inquest.

"The province is appointing an outside independent prosecutor...to provide
advice on whether there's a basis for any criminal proceedings or any
further evidence to be gathered," said Mackintosh.

The homicide unit is investigating the shooting, which is standard
procedure in all shootings involving police officers. The officers
involved in the shooting have been put on leave and are receiving
counselling, which is also
mandatory.