Inquest to be held this month into the death of man killed by police in northern Ont.
A formal inquest will be held into the death of John-Paul George, who was shot and killed in 2020 in New Liskeard.
Dr. Harry Voogjarv, regional supervising coroner for the North Region, announced the inquest will be held May 27 beginning at 9 a.m.
George, 42, died in hospital on April 9, 2020, after he was shot five times following an interaction in New Liskeard with the Ontario Provincial Police.
An inquest into his death is mandatory under the Coroners Act. The inquest is expected to last five days and hear from around 10 witnesses.
“The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. George’s death,” the Ministry of the Solicitor General announced in a news release.
“The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.”
An investigation by the SIU cleared police of wrongdoing.
The investigation found that three officers responding to a report of a break-in were told by the occupant she believed someone was still inside her home.
Police saw a man leaving the residence carrying what appeared to be a handgun.
“He yelled obscenities at (police), kicked the gate open and began to make his way down the stairs,” the SIU report said.
“In his right hand was what appeared to be a handgun.”
He was ordered to drop the gun, but instead he kept walking down the stairs, pointing the plastic gun at police.
“As the complainant came off the stairs and continued to within a couple of metres of (police), each officer fired his weapon … four and two times, respectively,” the SIU report said.
He was struck five times, including three times in the torso, and died later in hospital, the SIU said. Police fired in response to an imminent threat, the report concluded, and waited until the man was just a few metres away before firing.
The May 27 inquest will be conducted by video conference. Members of the public who wish to view the proceedings can do so live by clicking here.
For more information about inquests, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More Canadians only making minimum payment on credit cards: TransUnion
Some Canadians are seeing their credit card balances grow as the cost-of-living crisis and higher interest rates eat into household budgets, a new report shows.
Severe thunderstorms, 15 cm of snow: Canadian weather forecast highlights
Well into spring, some parts of Canada could experience a wintry comeback, while other areas are bracing for severe thunderstorms, according to local forecasts.
Tornado touches down west of the Island of Montreal
Emergency services in the town of Rigaud, Que. are investigating after a tornado touched down shortly after 5:30 p.m. on Friday.
House from 'Home Alone' hits the market for US$5.25 million
Kevin McCallister’s childhood home has hit the market for US$5.25 million. At just over 9,000 square feet, the house from the 'Home Alone' movie was last sold in 2012 for $1,585,000.
Teen was doing homework at family's Mississauga, Ont. restaurant when gunman opened fire: testimony
The 13-year-old sister of a young man killed in the attack on her family’s Mississauga restaurant in 2021 took the stand in a Brampton courthouse on Monday to describe the terrifying moments of coming under fire.
Israeli tanks advance into Rafah's centre despite global outcry
Israeli tanks advanced to the centre of Rafah for the first time on Tuesday, witnesses said, three weeks into a ground offensive in the southern Gaza city that has stirred global condemnation for its continued civilian toll.
At least 60 reports of Lyme disease so far as Ontario enters tick season
Peak tick season is only just beginning but reports of bites – and tick-borne illnesses – are already higher than normal in Ontario.
What a CBSA strike could look like, according to an expert
Slowed or interrupted travel, the passing of goods and significantly restricted borders should be expected if Canadian border workers take upcoming strike action.
Arm of mummy came off after mishandling by museum staff: Mexican government
Mexico's federal archaeology agency on Monday accused the conservative-governed city of Guanajuato of mistreating one of the country’s famous mummified 19th century bodies.