An investigation into the death of a man resulting from a police shooting in Winnipeg is now under the jurisdiction of an agency in Alberta.
The incident, according to officials, occurred on Dec. 31, 2023, at an apartment in the first 100 block of University Crescent. Winnipeg police said they were called to the residence at 2:22 p.m. with reports of a man acting erratically. Once there, police said the man, who was armed, confronted them, leading to an officer discharging his firearm.
The 19-year-old was provided with medical care and taken to the hospital, where he later died of his injuries.
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The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) said it would take over the investigation as it involved an officer. But in a release on Wednesday, the IIU said the investigation will now be conducted by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.
In the release, the IIU said the transfer of the investigation was meant to avoid the “potential of any perceived conflict of interest.” The agency further added that an officer involved in the shooting is a close relative of an employee of Manitoba Justice — the same department where the IIU is organizationally located.
The release says that “considering the relationship of the persons involved, it was concluded that the appointment of an outside agency for this investigation is important to preserve the integrity of the investigative process.”