Violent arrest of Ottawa man a case of mistaken identity, say police
CTV
An Orleans man is looking for answers and an apology after he was mistakenly and violently arrested by an Ottawa police officer last month.
Kane Niyondagara is looking for answers and an apology after Ottawa police officers mistook him for a wanted suspect and violently arrested him.
"There," he said as he pointed to the intersection at Innes Road and Lanthier Drive. "I got shot for the first time with the Taser in my back."
On Feb. 16, the 27-year-old was leaving the Starbucks and heard police sirens. When he turned around, he says police had weapons pointed at him.
"I put my hands up, they told me to get on my knees without asking me for my ID or anything," said Niyondagara.
The 27-year-old moved to Ottawa with his parents and three siblings eight years ago. He says police aren't trusted in Burundi. He felt he didn't do anything wrong and didn't want to end up in jail. Out of fear and confusion, he ran.
"So I kept running to this point where the officer tackled me on the ground. He punched me on the right side of the eye here and he also hit me on my body," he explained.
Niyondagara says there were at least two other officers present when he was arrested at Prestwick Drive and Summerlands Crescent.
