Man shot by Winnipeg police was depressed: Friends

WINNIPEG — The man who was shot and killed by Winnipeg police Friday was depressed and didn’t deserve to be killed, said his friends.

READ MORE: Man killed in police shooting identified

“There’s no reason, police should be putting bullet holes in someone who is depressed,” said best friend Jared Toll, speaking to Global News by phone from Montreal.

Toll and DiCesare grew up together near Ottawa and kept in contact even after DiCesare moved to Winnipeg.

“I spoke to him the day before, he seemed fine,” Toll said, “but he wasn’t one to admit defeat.”

Toll says DiCesare wouldn’t hurt anyone and was the nicest guy who always had his friends backs. Toll says he had a girlfriend in Winnipeg, “he really loved her” and was visiting his mom.

“He had a great sense of self, he had a strong character, left an impression on everyone around him, he inspired people,” Toll said.

Mark DiCesare, 24, was seen by witnesses in southwest Winnipeg Friday afternoon weaving in and out of traffic, cutting vehicles off on Taylor Avenue and being followed by police.

Some witnesses say DiCesare had a gun but neither police nor the Independent Investigation Unit would confirm that.

RELATED: Man dead following police shooting: sources

DiCesare would lead police on a chase which ended on the grounds of Kapyong Barracks at Grant Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard where, after a stand off, he was shot dead by police.

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Winnipeg police confirmed, 25 officers were involved in the incident and five officers opened fire on DiCesare.

The IIU would only say it’ll take a while to find out exactly what happened. In a news release Monday the IIU asked for any witnesses to the shooting to contact them at 1-844-667-6090 to assist in the ongoing investigation.

“This is our largest investigation by far,” said Zane Tessler, with the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba. “We have our whole team working on it.”

“That wasn’t the Mark that everyone knows, that wasn’t the Mark that I know, to go and drive erratically,” said another close friend from Ottawa, who didn’t want his name used.

He says DiCesare was having a rough week after a fight with his girlfriend and recently lost his job on the oil rigs in Alberta.

“He was down and he wasn’t happy and he wasn’t in a good state and that explains his behaviour,” said the friend.

DiCesare’s girlfriend took to her social media account over the weekend saying, “You are the most amazing person I have ever met.  I have never been happier than I was with you…it comforts me that you are at peace now.”

DiCesare’s funeral will be held on Saturday, November 14 in Ottawa.