The tragic New Year’s Eve shooting resulting in the death of Afolabi Stephen Opaso, a 19-year-old international student from Nigeria studying at the University of Manitoba, has sparked a call for reforms in how law enforcement handles incidents involving mental health crises....CONTINUE READING>>
Winnipeg police officers responded to reports of a man behaving erratically at an apartment suite in University Crescent.
Chief Danny Smyth confirmed that upon arrival, officers were confronted by Opaso, wielding two knives, leading to an officer discharging their weapon. Opaso was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) is currently probing the incident’s circumstances.
Opaso’s parents, speaking from Nigeria, revealed that their son was experiencing a mental breakdown at the time of the tragedy.
Expressing deep concern, they criticized the response to mental health challenges, denouncing the use of lethal force as disproportionate and unjust in such situations.
They emphasized the pressing need for law enforcement training, emphasizing de-escalation techniques tailored explicitly for individuals undergoing mental health crises.
The parents urged authorities to reassess their approaches, aiming to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Demanding accountability, they called for a thorough and transparent investigation by the IIU into the involved officers’ actions.
They highlighted the gravity of their loss and stressed the importance of holding those responsible accountable.
In response, the Winnipeg Police Service acknowledged the grieving family’s concerns, reiterating Chief Smyth’s address at a recent press conference.
The statement expressed a mutual expectation for the IIU’s investigation outcome…CONTINUE READING>>
