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Aupaluk man dies in police shooting

Man aimed hunting rifle at police officer

JANE GEORGE

A 25-year old Aupaluk man is dead after he was fatally shot last Wednesday by a Kativik Regional Police Force constable.

The Sûreté du Québec provincial police force is investigating the incident.

That's because, according to Quebec law, an outside police force must investigate any injury caused by a discharge of a firearm by police or any death involving police activity.

"The incident started around 11:30 p.m. on March 31 in Aupaluk," said Sgt. Ghislain Blanchette of the SQ in an interview from Rouyn-Noranda.

"The constable received a call concerning vandalism. The call said an individual was going to damage the power plant. The constable, when approaching the site, noticed a man in the street who was armed with a hunting rifle."

Blanchette said the constable then got out of his vehicle, took out his firearm, and asked the man to drop his own rifle.

"Then, the man then pointed it at him, with the intent of firing, and the constable fired before this occurred," Blanchette said.

The man died almost instantaneously from the gunshot.

Blanchette said the SQ investigation is continuing, while the body of the man undergoes an autopsy in Montreal.

"We need to be sure that the shooting occurred according to the habitual procedure that says when it's necessary to use a firearm," he said.

"When our life is in danger - that's the principle. When we consider that our life or the life of another person is in danger, we are justified in using an firearm. In these circumstances, the investigation will see whether it was justified to use a firearm in those circumstances."

Blanchette said the results of the investigation would be submitted to Quebec's minister of public security.

"The minister looks at the file, and, with the coroner, can give recommendations later," he said.

The investigation could take several weeks to complete.

In the meantime, the constable involved in the incident is on sick leave and receiving counseling.

Several incidents have occurred over the past few years involving KRPF being threatened with firearms or, in several instances, being shot at.

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