Officers at the centre of a fatal police shooting in Salluit, Que., used Tasers and pepper spray before shooting two men, according to Quebec’s police watchdog, Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI).
The Papigatuk family has confirmed the death of Joshua Papigatuk. His twin brother, Garnet Papigatuk, was flown to a hospital in southern Quebec.
Videos posted on social media Monday showed a man being shot at close range by what appeared to be a police officer.
The Nunavik Police Service confirmed an officer had fired his weapon, which killed one person and seriously injuring another, yesterday morning around 4 a.m.
In an update Tuesday afternoon, the BEI said early findings from their investigation suggest a pair of police officers responded to a call of a person driving while impaired.
Upon arriving, there was a physical altercation between the officers and the two men.
Officers allegedly used Tasers and pepper spray, without success.
“A police officer then allegedly opened fire at one of the people,” the statement said, and when the altercation continued with the other brother, “the police officer allegedly fired at the second person.”
First aid was reportedly provided by the police officers on site until medics arrived.
Both victims were taken to hospital. One was pronounced dead and the other is in a stable condition.
CBC spoke with one person who said they witnessed the whole incident and didn’t see pepper spray or Tasers used. The person did not agree to have their name used.
Body camera footage, witness videos being analyzed
Jérémie Comtois, communications adviser for the BEI, has confirmed to CBC they are analyzing the officers’ body camera footage from the incident, as well as videos submitted by witnesses.
That footage will not be publicly released until their investigation is complete.
The Nunavik Police Service rolled out body cameras on officers in 2020 in all 14 communities in the region.
Five BEI investigators are on the case.
Comtois said they will be heading to Salluit to conduct on-the-ground investigations.
Outrage across Nunavik
Makivvik, a political organization representing Inuit in Nunavik, said it strongly condemns the actions of the police.
“This tragedy is a painful reminder that policing in Nunavik needs significant reform to truly serve and protect our people,” president Pita Aatami said in a written statement.
“When police enter our communities, they should be here to protect us — not to cause harm.”
It wants the Kativik Regional Government, which is the regional authority for most of the Nunavik region, to take a more active role in determining how the police service operates.
Makivvik is also calling for increased mental health support services for all Nunavimmiut immediately.
The incident has caused outrage across the region, with people seen protesting outside Salluit’s police station yesterday afternoon.
Demonstrators held up signs with slogans like ‘Justice 4 Joshua’ and ‘Justice 4 the twins’.
More protests are planned this afternoon in Salluit and Kuujjuaq.
In Nunavut, dozens of people held a candlelight vigil last night, in solidarity for the victims of the shooting.
A fundraiser has also been set up for the family to help pay for their expenses down south.