Independent watchdog probes death after tense early-morning encounter
Winnipeg police are under investigation after a 42-year-old man died following a use-of-force encounter in the city's east end in the early hours of Sunday.
The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) said officers were called to McMeans Avenue East at about 4:23 a.m. for a wellness check after multiple 911 calls reported a man behaving erratically and removing his clothing. One call came from the man himself; another caller — a woman — told dispatchers they were suffering effects from drug consumption.
Shortly after, according to the IIU, a resident reported that a man had entered his home and assaulted him before leaving the scene. Patrol officers located a naked man who, the IIU says, did not follow officers' verbal directions and fled on foot. Police pursued and deployed a Taser prior to taking the man into custody.
“He was displaying signs of an ‘agitated chaotic event’ and later became unresponsive,”
Officers began cardiopulmonary resuscitation and requested an ambulance. The man was transported to hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead. A Winnipeg police officer sustained a minor leg injury during the incident, the IIU said.
What the IIU will examine
The IIU investigates incidents in Manitoba involving police where there is death or serious injury. Its role is to independently establish the facts and determine whether any criminal offence was committed by officers. In this case, the unit will examine both the circumstances of the man's death and the use of force applied by officers, including the deployment of a Taser.
- Location: McMeans Avenue East, Winnipeg
- Time of initial call: about 4:23 a.m.
- Age of deceased: 42
- Agency investigating: Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba
| Event | Reported time |
|---|---|
| Wellness check calls received | About 4:23 a.m. |
| Call reporting alleged break-in/assault | About 4:31 a.m. |
| Police locate, pursue and deploy Taser | Shortly after arrival |
| Subject becomes unresponsive and transported | Later that morning |
Community concerns and context
Incidents in which police use conducted energy weapons continue to draw scrutiny from residents and advocacy groups across Winnipeg, particularly when the affected person is experiencing mental-health distress or suspected intoxication. The IIU’s involvement signals an independent review intended to provide clarity on what occurred and whether officers complied with legal and procedural standards.
Local advocacy organisations have repeatedly urged transparency and timely public communication in cases where someone dies after police contact. Manitoba’s oversight regime gives the IIU exclusive jurisdiction to investigate serious incidents involving police, and its findings — including whether charges should be laid — will determine next steps for both the police service and the criminal justice system.
What happens next
The IIU has not released further details about witnesses, medical findings or timelines beyond the initial calls, the alleged break-in, the use of a Taser and the subject’s subsequent unresponsiveness. As is standard, the IIU will gather statements from officers and witnesses, collect available video and audio evidence and consult medical experts as part of the probe.
The Winnipeg Police Service has not issued a separate detailed public statement beyond confirming that an officer sustained a minor leg injury during the encounter. Residents in the McMeans Avenue area may see increased IIU activity while the investigation continues.
The IIU’s investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information or video related to the incident is typically asked to contact the unit to assist in establishing a full picture of the events leading up to the man's death.
