APTN News
Manitoba’s chief medical examiner has called an inquest into the shooting death of a young Indigenous man earlier this year.
Winnipeg police shot and killed Chad Williams, 26, in the city’s West End around 8 p.m. on Jan. 11.
The province’s watchdog group tasked with investigating police-related fatalities and injuries completed an investigation in September.
The group concluded no charges should be laid against the officers involved.
The investigation found police were on the lookout for a man wanted in connection with a domestic assault when they encountered Williams acting ‘suspiciously,’ the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) said in a September release.
A foot chase ensued and ended in a vacant parking lot.
A hatchet
The IIU investigation determined Williams had threatened officers with a hatchet.
Police had attempted to use a Taser to subdue Williams but to no effect.
The IIU said when Williams later tried to throw the hatchet three officers discharged their firearms.
Williams was taken to hospital where he died the next day.
15 witnesses
During the investigation, IIU interviewed eight witness officers and seven civilian witnesses.
IIU civilian director Zane Tessler found “the use of lethal force by the three officers was justifiable and unavoidable, and that their decision to shoot the man was necessary to prevent death or injury to themselves or other officers in the vicinity.”
Williams’ family told APTN News shortly after his death the young man was dealing with a methamphetamine addiction but was trying to seek help.
Watch: ‘It was uncalled for’: Family of man shot by Winnipeg police speaks out
Methamphetamine, among other drugs, was in his system at the time of his death, the report determined.
The inquest was called in accordance with The Fatality Inquiries Act.
Information on the date and time of the inquest will be determined and released at a later date.
