'We want the truth to be uncovered': Family of Winnipeg man who died after police interaction calls for transparency
CTV
A grieving family is calling for change and transparency following the death of their relative after an interaction with Winnipeg Police which was captured on video by multiple witnesses.
A grieving family is calling for change and transparency following the death of their relative after an interaction with Winnipeg Police which was captured on video by multiple witnesses.
James Wood, 35, died on January 27 after police were called to a domestic incident at an apartment complex on Fairlane Avenue in the city’s Crestview neighborhood.
Wood’s family spoke for the first time since the incident, sharing their and anguish while calling for change.
"It's very hard to lose somebody in this way. It shouldn't happen,” said Carol Wood, James’ mom. “There is no need for what they did to my son.”
Police Chief Danny Smyth said during a January 28th press conference that a woman called, claiming her boyfriend was intoxicated and that she feared for her children’s safety. She said he later fell down the stairs from their second-floor suite and was lying on the ground when multiple officers responded to the scene.
Multiple witnesses recorded the incident and allege police used excessive force during the arrest including the use of a baton. Smyth said Wood became unresponsive when police were escorting him to the car, and was later pronounced dead.
“It was traumatizing watching the videos, like that's something that's forever embedded on our brains," said Hilda Anderson-Pryz, a family spokesperson.
