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
Blaine Higgs 'furious' over sexual education presentation
New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs has shared his anger on social media over a presentation in at least four high schools.
Driver, 18, gets $3,000 ticket, 32 demerit points after speeding on Laval boulevard
A young driver received a hefty fine from Laval police after they say he was driving nearly 100 km/h over the posted speed limit.
This type of screen time has the worst effect on kids: experts
According to some experts, there is one type of screen time that is continuously excessive, and it's having a severe effect on our children.
Trump confronts repeated boos during raucous Libertarian convention speech
Donald Trump was booed repeatedly while addressing Saturday night’s Libertarian Party National Convention.
Grayson Murray, two-time PGA Tour winner, dead at 30
Two-time PGA Tour winner Grayson Murray died Saturday morning at age 30, one day after he withdrew from the Charles Schwab Cup Challenge at Colonial.
Man throws flaming liquid on New York City subway, burns fellow rider
A man set a cup of liquid on fire and tossed it at fellow subway rider in New York City, setting the victim's shirt ablaze and injuring him.
At least 9 dead in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after severe weather roars across region
Powerful storms killed at least nine people and left a wide trail of destruction Sunday across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas after obliterating homes and destroying a truck stop where drivers took shelter during the latest deadly weather to strike the central U.S.
As Canada warms, infectious disease risks spread north
Cases of Lyme disease have now increased more than 1,000 per cent in a decade as the warming climate pushes the boundaries of a range of pathogens and risk factors northward.
12 people injured after Qatar Airways plane hits turbulence on way to Dublin
Twelve people were injured when a Qatar Airways plane flying from Doha to Dublin on Sunday hit turbulence, airport authorities said.