The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) of Manitoba has wrapped up its review of a 2022 police-involved shooting on the Trans-Canada Highway near Portage la Prairie, concluding no charges will be laid.
The incident happened around 3:49 a.m. on June 15, 2022. RCMP officers were responding to a call about suspects in a truck allegedly breaking into a business. When police caught up to the suspect’s vehicle, it reportedly rammed a police cruiser and pinned it against a trailer.
The officer managed to get out of the vehicle, at which point the suspect’s truck swerved toward him. The officer then fired his service pistol. The suspect’s vehicle fled but was later stopped by police. One man, who had been shot, was taken into custody and transported to hospital.
Because someone was hurt during the arrest, the IIU took over the investigation under Section 65(4) of the Police Services Act. One officer was identified as the subject of the investigation, with nine others considered witnesses. Two civilians also gave statements, and investigators spoke with the individual who was injured.
After reviewing the case — and receiving a legal opinion from Crown counsel that the threshold for prosecution hadn’t been met — the civilian director decided no charges would be laid.
The IIU has now closed the file. The full report can be found online at www.iiumanitoba.ca.
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