The families of Bradley Singer, 59 and Afolabi Stephen Opaso, 19, are calling for a joint inquest into their deaths following police shootings in Winnipeg. Singer was shot and killed by police officers during a mental health-related call, while Opaso, an international student from Nigeria studying at the University of Manitoba, was also fatally shot by Winnipeg police officers. Both cases involve individuals living with mental health issues who were killed by police, prompting their families and legal counsel to request a joint inquest to be conducted to further investigate the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The families believe that their loved ones, who were not criminals but in need of help, did not receive appropriate treatment from law enforcement.
In the case of Bradley Singer, the police allege that he was armed with a crowbar and discharged a fire extinguisher at them before locking himself inside a home, leading to a confrontation with tactical officers. Singer’s brother, Gerry Singer, expressed disbelief at the tragic events that led to his brother’s death, emphasizing the unnecessary nature of the situation and the impact it has had on him emotionally. Similarly, the lawyer for the Opaso family, Jean-Rene Kwilu, highlighted the concerns raised by the deaths of individuals with mental health conditions at the hands of police, urging for a closer examination of these incidents. Both families are seeking answers and justice for their loved ones.
The families of Bradley Singer and Afolabi Stephen Opaso are pushing for a joint inquest into their deaths, as both cases involve individuals with mental health issues who were killed by police officers. The lawyers representing the families have written to the Chief Medical Examiner to request a joint inquest, citing the similarities between the two cases and the need for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shootings. They are also advocating for support services for families who lose loved ones in police-related deaths, as they face emotional distress and financial burdens in addition to the loss of their family members.
Justice Minister Matt Wiebe expressed sympathy for the families dealing with the tragic loss of their loved ones and acknowledged the impact of such incidents on communities. The government has allocated funds to hire mental health workers to work alongside law enforcement and is reviewing policing standards to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. The Independent Investigation Unit and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team are currently handling the investigations into the deaths of Bradley Singer and Afolabi Stephen Opaso, respectively, but the families and their legal counsel are calling for a joint inquest to ensure that all aspects of the cases are thoroughly examined.
As the families continue to cope with their losses, they are advocating for transparency in police operations by recommending the use of body cameras or smart devices during all law enforcement activities. They believe that increased accountability and oversight can help prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future. Despite the challenges they face in seeking justice for their loved ones, the families of Bradley Singer and Afolabi Stephen Opaso are determined to ensure that their deaths are not in vain and that there is accountability for the actions of the police officers involved in these tragic incidents.
