Police involved in shooting death of northern Ont. man describe lingering trauma, lack of support
CTV
The northern Ontario police officers involved in a case that killed a man in crisis in 2020 say they were left on their own without mental health support following the tragedy.
That’s because the province’s Special Investigations Unit didn’t want them speaking about the case while they investigated. The officers were later cleared of any wrongdoing.
Police testified Wednesday and Thursday at a coroner's inquest into the death of John-Paul 'Jay' George, 42, who was killed at a home on Lakeshore Drive in New Liskeard shortly before 9 p.m. April 9, 2020.
George had threatened to kill people, including a child, and pointed a replica firearm at police when he was killed. The Indigenous man was shot five times in the torso by two officers.
Upon arrival at the scene, OPP Const. Nicholas Kwong went to the back of the house. Another officer was at the front and Sgt. Kailee Bradley was at the side of the home between them.
Kwong said there was no time to meaningfully engage with George or de-escalate the situation because as soon as they saw him, George was pointing what looked like a firearm at the officers.
Bradley said she heard Kwong or Const. Robert Maki inside the house say, "Don't move."
