Tasers used before fatal police shooting in Nunavik, police watchdog says

According to Quebec's police watchdog Bureau des Enquêtes Indépendantes (BEI), officers at the center of a fatal police shooting in Salluit, Que. Tasers and pepper spray before shooting two men.

The Papigatuk family has confirmed the death of Joshua Papigatuk. His twin brother, Garnet Papigatuk, was flown to a hospital in southern Quebec.

Videos posted to social media on Monday showed a man being shot at close range by what appeared to be a police officer.

Nunavik Police confirmed an officer fired his weapon around 4 a.m. yesterday morning, killing one person and seriously injuring another.

In an update Tuesday afternoon, the BEI said early findings from their investigation suggest a pair of police officers responded to a call of a person driving while impaired.

Upon arrival, a physical altercation occurred between the officers and the two men.

Officers reportedly used tasers and pepper spray, but without success.

“A police officer then allegedly opened fire on one of the people,” the statement said, and as the altercation with the other brother continued, “the police officer reportedly fired at the second person.”

First aid was reportedly administered by the police officers on the scene until medics arrived.

Both victims were taken to hospital. One was pronounced dead, the other is in stable condition.

CBC spoke with one person who said they witnessed the entire incident and did not see any pepper spray or Tasers used. The person did not agree to his name being used.

Body camera footage and witness videos are being analyzed

Jérémie Comtois, communications advisor for the BEI, confirmed to CBC that they are analyzing the officers' body camera footage of the incident, as well as videos from witnesses.

Those images will not be made public until their investigation is completed.

The Nunavik Police Department rolled out body cameras for officers in all 14 communities in the region in 2020.

Five BEI investigators are working on the case.

Comtois said they will go to Salluit to conduct on-site investigations.

Outrage in Nunavik

Makivvik, a political organization representing Inuit in Nunavik, said it strongly condemned the police actions.

“This tragedy is a painful reminder that policing in Nunavik needs significant reform to truly serve and protect our people,” President Pita Aatami said in a written statement.

“When police invade our communities, they should be there to protect us – not to cause harm.”

It wants the Kativik Regional Government, which is the regional authority for most of the Nunavik region, to take a more active role in determining how the police service functions.

Makivvik is also calling for immediate expansion of mental health services for all Nunavimmiut.

The incident sparked outrage across the region, with people protesting outside Salluit police station yesterday afternoon.

Protesters held up signs with slogans such as “Justice 4 Joshua” and “Justice 4 the twins.”

More protests are planned in Salluit and Kuujjuaq this afternoon.

In Nunavut, dozens of people held a candlelight vigil last night in solidarity with the shooting victims.

A fundraiser has also been set up for the family to help pay for their expenses down south.