Geoff Morris’ fiancé’s family has confirmed to Global News she was in fact, taken hostage prior to the officer-involved shooting on Saturday.
Morris, 41, was shot in what Regina police are calling a hostage situation at an apartment building in the 1900 block of Halifax Street.
Police said they were called to the scene shortly after 5:30 a.m., where they found a man armed with a knife holding his fiancé hostage.
As police worked to de-escalate the situation, one of the officers fired a gun.
WATCH: Residents react to east Regina shooting (April 22)
Crisis negotiators, members of the SWAT team and EMS were also called in to help.
Morris was pronounced dead at the scene.
His sister, Debra Morris, described Geoff as someone “always cracking jokes, making people smile and laugh,” and was loved by those who knew him.
She added he suffered from depression and needed help with his mental health.
With oversight from the Ministry of Justice, the coroner’s service is now investigating.
A former Saskatchewan RCMP member will oversee the investigation into the police-involved death. In an effort to remain impartial, the supervising officer has no professional connection to Regina police.
“We have full confidence in their ability to conduct an independent investigation to take a look at the circumstances of what happened Saturday morning in Regina. That’s also why our independent investigation observer is assigned to the file. That individual will formulate a report that will be submitted to the deputy minister of justice to ensure that investigation is conducted accordingly,” said Drew Wilby, Saskatchewan justice ministry spokesperson.
“This investigation has some very distinguishing things in it that will be used through the investigation to help determine what the response will look like, what the actions of the officers were on scene, and ultimately the use of force that ended in the death of a male adult.”
Police said an autopsy was scheduled for Monday.
This is only the second fatal officer-involved shooting in Regina in the past 20 years.
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