Ottawa Police investigation into RCMP V-Division February 2020 fatal shooting in Kinngait has concluded

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 24,  2020   4:27pm

(Ottawa) – On February 26, 2020, the RCMP V-Division asked the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) to conduct an investigation into the fatal RCMP shooting of Mr. Attachie Ashoona, a Kinngait, Nunavut resident.

The OPS has a Memorandum of Understanding with the RCMP V-Division and the Government of Nunavut to conduct independent external investigations in instances of major police incidents involving members of the RCMP.

On February 27th, two OPS Homicide Unit investigators and two forensic officers travelled to Kinngait and commenced a police oversight investigation to determine if there was any criminal responsibility on the part of the RCMP.

During its investigation, OPS interviewed five RCMP members and ten civilian witnesses.

The investigation has determined that the RCMP officer’s use of lethal force did not exceed the use of force necessary to control the situation, as per section 25 of the Criminal Code of Canada.  There were no grounds in the evidence to proceed with criminal charges against the officer.

The Government of Nunavut Department of Justice and the RCMP V-Division have been notified of the conclusion and determination of the investigation. 

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CONTACT:

Superintendent Chris Renwick

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366