Members Area
Log in | Become a Member
Organization access | Register your group

Weather: Montreal, January 9th 2009 / -14°C / A few clouds / Wind: 19 Km/h / Humidity: 72 %

Quebec police say inquiry into death of 18-year-old Montrealer will be fair

Article online since August 11st 2008, 23:00
Be the first to comment on this article

MONTREAL - Quebec provincial police say their investigation into the controversial shooting of an 18-year-old Montrealer by city police will be impartial and thoroughly professional.

Lt. Francois Dore said the investigation into Fredy Villanueva's death could take between eight and 10 weeks.

Dore said police met earlier Tuesday with the families of Villanueva and two other people who were wounded on Saturday when one Montreal police officer, who was on patrol with another officer, fired four shots in a city park.

"We found this meeting very positive and it allowed the families to ask questions which we answered," Dore told a news conference.

"We reassured the family that we are taking this investigation seriously. This inquiry will be handled with integrity, impartiality and with rigour."

The police announcement came just a few hours after a Montreal-based race-relations group called for a public inquiry into the shooting.

The Centre for Research-Action on Race Relations said any police inquiry into the death would not be transparent enough.

The group said a public inquiry would allow witnesses to testify and would shed light on what exactly happened in the Montreal park.

"The advantage of a public inquiry is that it will look for the motives that feed this hatred of the police system," lawyer Jacky-Eric Salvant told a news conference.

"The other advantage of a public inquiry is that we will be able to analyze the intervention methods of police."

Public Security Minister Jacques Dupuis is not ruling out a public inquiry at some point, but said Tuesday he first wants to see the provincial police report.

Villanueva's shooting sparked widespread looting and vandalism a day later in the north-end neighbourhood where he died.

Dore said police have met some 30 witnesses, including the two people who were wounded.

But Dore said authorities still haven't met with the two cops who were on patrol Saturday.

"These two police officers are involved in the events," Dore said. "We haven't met them yet, but rest assured we will be seeing them within a matter of days."

Send this text to a friend

Print this article

Comment on this article

These articles could also interest you

20 hours ago- Afghan held for forced abortion of his sister
20 hours ago- NATO chief says financial crisis poses risk to Afghan mission
20 hours ago- Boston Bruins centre Bergeron vows return to lineup after concussion
20 hours ago- Florida earns BCS championship with sloppy 24-14 win over Oklahoma
20 hours ago- Pairs champions Langlois, Hay pull out of Canadian championships

Your comments

Montréal Express

Related Newspapers

Cités Nouvelles - L'hebdo francophone de l'Ouest-de-l'Île
Nouvel horaire de l’AMT: où est l’ajout de service?
The Monitor - Serving the West End since 1926
The Land of Tears
The Westmount Examiner - Making all of Westmount your home
The Land of Tears