The families of two men who were shot and killed in Winnipeg police shootings are calling for a joint inquest into their deaths. Bradley Singer, 59, died after being shot by police during a mental health-related call. Singer, who was armed with a crowbar, discharged a fire extinguisher at officers before locking himself inside a home. Police shot him after he confronted them with a weapon, leading to his death. Video footage shows officers surrounding the home and attempting to communicate with Singer before breaching the home. Singer’s family and legal counsel are questioning the use of force in dealing with a mentally ill individual.
Gerry Singer, Bradley Singer’s brother, expressed disbelief over the incident and described his brother as a kind person who struggled with mental health issues. Afolabi Stephen Opaso, a 19-year-old international student, suffered a similar fate when he was shot and killed by police officers. Both cases are being investigated by provincial police watchdogs, with the families calling for a joint inquest due to the similarities in the circumstances of the deaths. The Chief Medical Examiner’s office automatically conducts inquests into police-related fatalities, but the families and their lawyers are pushing for a joint inquest to be conducted.
Both lawyers are also advocating for support services for families who lose a loved one in police shootings, as they face emotional distress and financial burdens such as funeral costs and damage to their homes. They are recommending that all police operations be filmed by body cameras or smart devices for transparency. Justice Minister Matt Wiebe expressed condolences to the families and highlighted government efforts to hire mental health workers to work alongside law enforcement and review policing standards in Manitoba to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The lawyers’ calls for a joint inquest come as they question the use of force by police in dealing with mentally ill individuals. They argue that individuals like Singer and Opaso, who were not criminals but in need of help, should have been handled differently. The families are seeking accountability and justice for the deaths of their loved ones, emphasizing the need for transparency and reform in police operations. The legal counsel is urging the Chief Medical Examiner to conduct a joint inquest into both cases to fully investigate and address the circumstances surrounding the shootings.
The cases of Bradley Singer and Afolabi Stephen Opaso highlight the challenges faced by individuals with mental health issues when interacting with law enforcement. The families of the deceased are seeking answers and justice, as they navigate the emotional and financial impact of losing a loved one to police shootings. The lawyers representing the families are advocating for greater support services for families affected by police-related fatalities and pushing for changes in police operations to prevent future tragedies. The calls for a joint inquest underscore the need for transparency, accountability, and reform in law enforcement practices.
