Winnipeg police cancelled 911 call before deadly shooting

WINNIPEG – Winnipeg police have launched an internal investigation after officers failed to show up at a call about a fight outside a downtown nightclub where a man was later shot and killed.

Rustom Paclipan, 23, died in the shooting early Sunday morning outside Opera Ultralounge on Main Street. Two other men were shot and wounded in what police say was gang-linked violence.

Chief Devon Clunis addressed media at the Public Safety Building Tuesday morning, providing shocking details about the delayed police response. He said nightclub staff called 911 at 1:39 a.m., warning that people were fighting outside the club, and that “the situation may escalate.” A call for service was entered in police records at 1:42 a.m.

But 20 minutes after the initial call, no police officers had been dispatched and records show at 1:59 a.m. the call was cancelled “from within the 911 communications centre.” At 2:03 a.m. another 911 call from the club indicated there had been a shooting. By the time officers arrived at 2:06 a.m., paramedics were already there.

“Chief of Police Devon Clunis has ordered an internal investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding the first call for service,” police said in a news release. “The Winnipeg Police Service has placed involved staff on administrative leave.”

Meantime, an eyewitness to the shooting came forward to tell her story to Global News.

“I just seen everybody go to the ground. I saw one guy. He was obviously the shooter and he was just chasing after and shooting,” said Angela de Sousa, who was in her car, stopped at a red light nearby, watching as the tragedy unfolded. “It literally looked a bunch of people going at each other. All of a sudden you hear pop and then you saw people go down, and it was really scary,” she said.

“It’s crazy if maybe cops where there a little bit sooner, maybe it wouldn’t have got to where it is now,” de Sousa said.

Here are the details as released by police:

“On May 4, 2014, at 1:39:36 a.m., staff at the Opera Night Club, 441 Main Street, contacted police via our 911 Communication Centre and reported unknown persons had been fighting outside the establishment. Some of those individuals were still present and staff requested police attend as they felt the situation may escalate.

“At 1:42:30 a.m. a call for service was generated and entered.

“At 1:59:45 a.m. the call for service was cancelled from within the 911 Communication Centre.

“At 2:03:13 a.m. the 911 Communication Centre received another call from this location indicating that a firearm had been discharged. Numerous emergency services personnel were dispatched and responded.

“At 2:06:04 a.m. the first police unit arrived on scene and assisted Winnipeg Paramedics, who were already on scene.”