Sault murder victim called 911 day before the shooting, police confirm
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is launching a pilot project that will see every call for service related to intimate partner violence (IPV) reviewed – including those that don’t result in charges.
This comes after an in-depth review of the circumstances leading to the murders of four people last October, including three children.
In a media conference Tuesday afternoon, Chief Hugh Stevenson confirmed that a 911 call was received from Angie Sweeney, one of the murder victims, the day before the shootings.
Sweeney said a verbal argument had taken place with her ex-partner Bobbie Hallaert, who committed the murders.
“During her call with the dispatcher, the victim indicated that there had been a physical altercation with Hallaert two weeks prior,” Stevenson said.
“This information was not added to the dispatch notes to the officer, and not relayed, obviously, to the responding officer.”
“The responding officer did speak with the victim multiple times that day and did ask if there had ever been current or historical physical abuse,” Sault police said in a news release earlier in the day.
In a media conference Tuesday afternoon, Chief Hugh Stevenson confirmed that a 911 call was received from Angie Sweeney, one of the murder victims, the day before the shootings. (Mike McDonald/CTV News)
The officer wasn’t told that violence had taken place. Norma Elliott, executive director of Women in Crisis Algoma, said victims of violence are often hesitant to report it to police.
“When they’re released, they’re very angry, and where are they going? They’re back home, because it’s her fault,” said Elliott.
“They don’t take responsibility for their own behaviours and their actions, they blame other people. So, it’s her fault he got arrested. So, it intensifies a situation.”
Moving forward, Stevenson said the Sault police will immediately begin following up on all IPV-related calls that do not result in charges.
“These type of calls include verbal disputes, when officers attend to allow for a peaceful exchange of property,” he said.
“It could come from third-party calls of shouting and yelling where there was no charges laid. We, the service, will call within 24 hours, or what’s practical, to make sure that that victim is safe.”
Elliott applauds the move.
“I think it’s pretty amazing that our police chief is willing to go this deep to find out how we can do better for our community,” she said.
Meantime, enhanced training for police dispatchers will take place, as well as an update of the force’s communications and dispatch policy.
o Download our app to get local alerts on your device
o Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
Stevenson said calls for service will be routinely reviewed going forward to ensure a high degree of professionalism and empathy.
“I, along with our senior leaders, will continue to explore all options to enhance the level of service we deliver,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday
Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.
Weight-loss drug Wegovy available in Canada starting May 6
The makers of Ozempic say their weight-loss drug Wegovy will be available to patients in Canada starting Monday.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
NEW A mother's hopes to free her son from a Syrian prison is revitalized by a new human rights report
Just days before the seventh anniversary of the day Jack Letts was thrown in prison with thousands of suspected ISIS fighters, his mother, Sally Lane, delivered a small stack of envelopes to the headquarters of Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa.
NEW Companies letting customers opt out of Mother's Day ads
In an effort to balance the profitability of Mother's Day with the pain it causes some people, some brands are offering customers the choice to opt out of Mother's Day email advertising.
Dental care program accepting claims for 1 million seniors
Citizens' Services Minister Terry Beech says 1,200 seniors have already visited a dentist and had their claims processed by the federal government's new dental care plan.
Concerns about Plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglass barriers.
NEW Facial reconstruction reveals what a 40-something Neanderthal woman may have looked like
Scientists studying a Neanderthal woman's remains have painstakingly pieced together her skull from 200 bone fragments to understand what she may have looked like.
Ont. woman who faked pregnancy to defraud doulas arrested again on similar charges
Victims of a Brantford, Ont., woman who was sentenced to house arrest earlier this year for defrauding and deceiving doulas say they’re not surprised she’s been apprehended again on similar charges.