Investigation into death of Nunavik man finishes in Inukjuak, but still continues

A 29-year-old man died following a police stand-off in Inukjuak July 17. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLTRAVELS.COM)

Quebec’s provincial police looking into the July 17 death of Jobie Napartuk, 29, of Inukjuak, have finished their work in the community.

But Sûreté du Québec investigators will continue to look at factors that led to Napartuk’s death before they turn the matter over to Quebec’s Crown prosecutor.

On July 17, members of the Kativik Regional Police Force responded to a call at a private residence in Inukjuak, a Hudson Bay community with a population of about 1,500.

Residents nearby say they heard two gunshots coming from Napartuk’s home that evening, and saw the injured man leaving the home with apparent gunshot wounds.

Napartuk was taken to the local health centre, where he later died from his injuries.

Any time a person suffers an injury or dies during a police operation or while in police custody, the investigation must be handled by an outside police force — in this case, the SQ.

The Kativik Regional Government wouldn’t provide any details about the incident nor how many of its officers were involved.

SQ investigators left Inukjuak this week. When their investigation is complete, they’ll hand their findings over to Quebec’s Crown prosecutor.