Man armed with knife shot dead by police in northern Ontario court
Lawyers who were in the court reported that an individual walked in between the defence counsel and judge’s tables, “took something out and the officer at that point said ‘drop it, drop it’ and then was shot.”ÌýÌý
A man armed with a knife has been shot dead by police inside a courtroom in northern Ontario while court was in session, the Star has learned.Ìý
The incident happened Thursday at a fly-in court in the remote community of Wapekeka, said Karen Seeley, past president of the Kenora District Law Association and current northwest representative on the board of the Federation of Ontario Law Associations.Ìý
Lawyers who were present in court reported to Seeley that an individual walked into court between the defence counsel and judge’s tables, “took something out and the officer at that point said ‘drop it, drop it’ and then was shot,” Seeley told the Star.Ìý
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In response to the Star’s questions, the Special Investigations Unit confirmed that preliminary information indicates the OPP fatally shot a man at the fly-in court. Spokesperson Kristy Denette said a team of investigators is on its way to Wapekeka, and a further update isn’t expected until Friday.Ìý
The OPP said in a statement that the incident happened at around noon on Thursday, but did not specify that it happened at court.
“Members of the Sioux Lookout Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) interacted with an individual armed with a knife on Wapekeka First Nation,” the OPP said.
“During the interaction, an officer discharged their firearm. As a result, the armed individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
The Ministry of the Attorney General did not immediately return a request for comment.
Ontario Court Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas told colleagues Thursday evening, in an email obtained by the Star, that she is convening an emergency meeting next week with the attorney general, solicitor general, and others “to convey, once again, the urgent need for significantly improved court security, including for fly-in courts.”
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She said the judge, lawyers and court staff are physically safe.
“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the deceased, the Wapekeka First Nation and its members, and those who were in the courtroom today,” Nicklas wrote.
A fly-in court is a makeshift court set up in local buildings in remote communities, with the judges, lawyers and staff flying in from elsewhere. Seeley said she understands Thursday’s fly-in court in Wapekeka was being held in a youth centre.Ìý
Unlike in other parts of Ontario, there are no security measures like metal detectors at most courthouses in the northwest, Seeley said, other than an officer in the court.Ìý
“I am very shocked, I’m very saddened for the community and for everybody who was there,” Seeley said.
“This is a horrific experience to go through ... I think we need to look at the way in which we run our courts and to ensure everybody is safe. And by everyone I mean members of the community and those of us who travel in to attend these courts.”
Jacques Gallant is a É«É«À²-based reporter covering courts,
justice and legal affairs for the Star. Reach him by email
atÌýjgallant@thestar.ca or
follow him on Twitter:
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