Four Killed in Durham Police Pursuit, Including Infant (April 29, 2024)

Four people, including an infant and its two grandparents (aged 60 and 55), were killed in a fiery crash during a police pursuit involving multiple police vehicles on Highway 401 in Whitby, Ontario, on April 29, 2024. The person being chased was also killed. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) reports that the crash involved at least six vehicles. All four people were pronounced dead at the and another person was taken to hospital with what are reported as significant injuries.

The Durham Regional Police Service says officers were responding to a robbery call in Clarington, a town east of Toronto, when they began pursuing a vehicle driving the wrong way in the eastbound lanes on Highway 401. The pursuit reportedly began at an LCBO location, when an off-duty officer reported an attempted theft to Durham Regional Police at around 7:50 PM.

A video circulating on social media shows a van speeding through oncoming traffic with Durham police vehicles close behind. The video then cuts to a fiery crash at the side of the highway. The SIU reports that the collision occurred at around 8:10 PM.

The SIU has assigned five investigators to the case, as well as one forensic specialist and one collision reconstructionist. They are still determining how many Durham police will be designated as subject and witness officers. They say they will also be determining whether it was appropriate for Durham police to pursue the cargo van as it drove the wrong way on the province’s busiest highway.

Rather than raising concerns about police actions and issues of accountability, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, spoke on the issue to tell reporters his government is working to give police services even more resources and equipment, including the purchase of four new police helicopters.

Man Killed in Chilliwack RCMP Arrest (April 22, 2024)

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating a man’s death while being arrested by RCMP officers in Chilliwack. According to the IIO, based on information provided by the Upper Fraser Valley RCMP, police responded to a report of a fight near March Street and Patten Avenue. They report that a man was arrested by police, then went into medical distress. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

No other details are available at the time.

Manitoba RCMP Shoot and Kill Man (27) in Sandy Bay First Nation (April 20, 2024)

Amaranth RCMP shot and killed a 27-year-old man in Sandy Bay First Nation on the evening of April 20, 2024. It is reported that RCMP were responding to a call by Manitoba First Nation Police Service regarding a disturbance involving a weapon at a residence in Sandy Bay First Nation around 5 PM. Police claim the man had fled by the time officers arrived, but RCMP and Manitoba First Nation Police tracked him to an open, outdoor area. A Mountie shot and killed the man.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) will be investigating.

Eeyou Eenou Police Force Strike and Kill Man with Patrol Car (April 19, 2024)

Eeyou Eenou Police Force (EEPF, Cree Nation) struck and killed a pedestrian with a patrol car in Mistissini, in Northern Quebec, on April 19, 2024. Quebec’s Bureau of Independent Investigations (BEI) is investigating. They report that a police officer from the Eeyou Eenou Police Force was traveling in his patrol car, followed by two police officers from the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) in their patrol vehicle. The three officers were reportedly responding to a call regarding a person traveling by foot on the highway. The pedestrian was then hit by the EEPF police officer’s patrol car. The victim suffered serious injuries and was transported to a clinic where he was later pronounced dead.

Five BEI investigators have been tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding the death. The BEI is not an independent investigations unit and relies on other police forces for their investigations. In this case, the Service de police de la Ville du Québec (Quebec City police) will be involved in the investigation.

Man Dies in Sûreté du Québec Police Action in Parent (April 4, 2024)

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) is investigating the death of a man during an intervention involving the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) on April 4, 2024. They report that around 1:31 PM, a call was made to the Sûreté du Québec regarding a person allegedly wanted by police. Around 7:10 PM, police reportedly attempted to arrest the person who was inside a tent, using pepper spray to force him out of the tent. At some point they heard a gunshot coming from the tent and withdrew. Officers from the Sûreté du Québec tactical intervention group arrived on the scene around 4:08 AM on April 5 and confirmed the person’s death. The BEI has assigned four investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding the police intervention and death.

Man Dies in Red Deer RCMP Custody (March 31, 2024)

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is investigating an in-custody death in Red Deer on March 31, 2024. It is reported that Red Deer RCMP were sent to a residence on 50 Avenue regarding a male acting erratically and running onto the roadway at 10:56 PM on March 25. RCMP say a man was arrested and transported to the Red Deer detachment.

While detained in cells, police say the man appeared to be in medical distress and EMS was called. He became unresponsive and life-saving measures and CPR were initiated. He was then transported to the Red Deer Regional Hospital where he was being monitored in the ICU.

On March 31, at 2:00 PM, Red Deer RCMP were notified that the man was declared dead. Police say he had “succumbed to his injuries in the ICU,” but no explanation has been given for what those injuries or how he received them.

Man Dies During Arrest in Bramber, West Hants, Nova Scotia (March 2, 2024)

The Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is investigating a man’s death during an arrest on March 2, 2024. They report that RCMP officers responded to an unknown emergency 911 call at a residence in Bramber, West Hants, at around 4 AM and arrested a man for allegedly obstructing a police officer. During the arrest, the man went into medical distress and was pronounced dead at the scene.