Following the recent police-involved shooting in Markham that claimed a man’s life, the Ontario police watchdog has launched investigation into the ugly incident.
According to a statement made available to newsmen, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said the shooting happened in a shopping plaza near the intersection of Fairburn Drive and Highway 7.
It was stated that a York Regional Police officer on patrol “came upon” a man outside a vehicle in the plaza.
The statement said “There was an interaction and the man was shot”.
It was clarified that the man, identified as Moses Erhirhie was taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries. Officers arrested a woman in the vehicle. She was not injured, according to the SIU.
Reports had it that York police, which notified the SIU, said its officers were called about a “suspicious person” shortly after 9 p.m. Police said the woman was arrested in connection with firearms offences.
In view of the development, the SIU has assigned three investigators and two forensic investigators to the case. It has designated one officer as the subject of the investigation and 12 other officers as witnesses.
The statement added that anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos should contact the SIU’s lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529.
Meanwhile, reports have it that Moses’ family has struggled to get basic information from the SIU and the coroner.
That includes information about the hospital he was taken to following the incident, information about where to collect his personal effects, and a coroner’s report.
Edith Erhirhie, Moses sister said “We requested to see his body and we were told by the SIU we can go on Monday. When we called the coroner, they said ‘no’, since the pandemic you can’t do compassionate viewing, but we need to identify him. How do we know it’s the right person?”
The bereaved Edith added that there are other barriers to the family as they attempt to understand what happened to Moses.
“Was he pulled over?” Was he at a location and someone called the police? The article I read said ‘suspicious behavior’. What was the behavior? How did it occur? Is the officer working? Or is the officer suspended with or without pay? We have no idea of the circumstance”. Edith said.
She added that “I feel for the pain and suffering he suffered before he got medical attention. Did he suffer? He was a joyful and positive person, always smiling, making everyone feel like family. He must have felt so helpless at that moment”.
Meanwhile, Stephanie Rea, a spokesperson for Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner, has averred that “The (coroner) understands the difficulty families go through following the sudden death of a loved one. (We) use scientific methods to determine the identity of an individual. Families are encouraged to reach out to the coroner with any questions they may have”.
