MONTREAL – The inquest into the death of Fredy Villanueva, who was shot by police on 9 August 2008 in a park in Montreal North, resumes Wednesday.
The investigation, which started in May 2009, was stalled in February 2011, after multiple court challenges from the City of Montreal and the Montreal Police Brotherhood, who opposed making public information that could endanger the lives of officers.
The question of how police holsters work was at the heart of the argument, which was last year ruled by Quebec’s Superior Court as a stalling tactic. The Court accused the officers of obstructing the investigation and those involved were ordered to cooperate with the inquiry.
Villanueva died during a confrontation with police. A group of young men in a park were approached by two police officers, Jean-Loup Lapointe and Stephanie Pilotte, who wanted to question Fredy’s brother Dany.
As Lapointe attempted to arrest Dany, he fired his gun several times and 18-year-old Fredy was shot and killed.
Villanueva’s death provoked violent riots in Montreal North and tensions remained high in the neighbourhood for several days after.
A police investigation later cleared the officers of any wrongdoing.
Fredy Villanueva’s mother has continued to fight for justice for her son.
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