One person dead in Kangiqsualujjuaq after reported police shooting
Quebec’s police watchdog announces investigation
Quebec’s police watchdog is launching an investigation after a person in Kangiqsualujjuaq was reportedly fatally shot Tuesday by police. (File photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Updated on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 1:20 p.m. ET.
Quebec’s police watchdog is investigating after a person in Kangiqsualujjuaq died Tuesday after allegedly being shot by police.
The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes opened the investigation in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to a news release posted to the bureau’s website.
The release gives basic details about the incident, but does not offer any identifying information about the victim, including age or gender.
Officers with the Nunavik Police Service located a wanted person inside a tent Tuesday at about 10:30 p.m. and reportedly used pepper spray to force the person out of the tent, the release said.
The person came out of the tent with a “bladed weapon” and moved toward the officers. An officer then allegedly used a conducted energy weapon — sometimes referred to as a stun gun — and then allegedly fired their gun, injuring the person, who was then transported to the local health centre and pronounced dead.
Deputy Chief Jean-Francois Morin of the Nunavik Police Service declined to comment.
Five investigators were expected to be on their way to Kangiqsualujjuaq as of noon Wednesday and scheduled to arrive at 4 p.m., said bureau spokesperson Jérémie Comtois in a French phone interview.
They will lead an investigation. Comtois confirmed police have retrieved body camera footage from the events.
Comtois did not offer any more information and asked anybody who might have been a witness to contact the Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes.
About six months ago, on Nov. 4, 2024, Nunavik police shot and killed a man in Salluit and severely injured his twin brother. The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes is also investigating that incident.
The bureau investigates all cases in which a person, other than an on-duty police officer, dies or suffers serious injury by a police officer during a police intervention, or in custody.
Note: This article was updated from its originally published version to clarify that the same officer who fired the conducted energy weapon also fired the gun.
Deepest condolences to his immediate families <3
It’s always a concern when police use deadly force. I invite anyone interested to read Makivik response to this and have an opened mind as you learn more.
It’s easy to agree with Makivik president on condemning the Nunavik police, and I’m admitting to agree to parts of his response. However, there’s a danger in remaining in a narrow focused view, as we witness another shooting of a suspect by Nunavik police. My concern is that responding can be one sided, and not thoroughly thought out in a fuller unbiased search for solutions. We do have an unhealthy collaboration between the police and Nunavik residents that’s outstanding to say the least. The other side, and I’m not going to say, it’s an absolute problem that police are facing, but I’ve seen and worked with this for years, it’s the mental health of people in Nunavik that’s one of the biggest concerns of all. Lack of mental health intervention also contributes to deterioration of behaviours that we are seeing, like depression, traumatic experiences, suicidal tendencies and actual cases, plus the abuses within the children, and the incredibly drinking and use of drugs. Nunavik society is broken, not just the relationship with people and police broken, but the whole of the society. No one seems to be addressing it as they gather to find solutions. Its become more hate and blame in one direction, without any real admission of truth. This will, yes this will continue, if meetings are once again commenced under the shadow of blame and denial. Just watch it continuing and becoming the new sad manifestation of deterioration of a society.
My heartfelt condolences to the wife, children, and entire family.
When will our leaders step up instead of condamnig from afar?
@ so sad
Come on now.
Our great leader to the South really feels what the life is like in Nunavik, when he makes his quarterly visit to the communities.
Nunavik has fallen into despair. It has happen right before our eyes. We’ve witness a strong and pleasant society deteriorated under the pressure of life. A society that was an example to humans all over the world, yet flounder under pressure. Lots of things contribute to that decline in a great society, and much of it from abuse and neglect from outside, but the real reason for the mess is within the society. For some reason, Inuit have never believed in taking control or life and charting a vision of the future. It’s puzzling how good and strong people could crumble under change, and become passive to the Quebec and Canada society. Why allow yourself no education, no family values, no harmony, and continuous drug and booze life. Nunavik has fallen.
Let’s face it , we have no leadership in Nunavik. How can anyone ascertain the idea of leadership, when those in the position of power are put there from favouring family and friends ? Really, that is exactly what leadership is made of in Nunavik. They have no platform, or campaign for election purposes. It’s all about who is related, and who follows the belief of who, not what. The only thing voters, and there’s not many, the only thing important on the ballet, is who I like more than this one and that one. My cousin, my friend, not a less interested in what the platform is. And when you summarize the ideas on the end of the day, each and everyone other candidates have the same ideas under a different family name. Inuit of Nunavik are so similar to each other that’s is actually a game rather than election.
Can you tell me who that leader to the south is ? I’m at caution when I her great from the south, because, I’m weary of not admitting the problem is nothing to do with the south! It’s problem living within Nunavik.
When someone, more than one dies from police intervention, you would think that those in leadership would at least discuss the issue over and over to look for answers. That not we’ve been seeing in the past number of police interventions. Instead we see a small discussion and a protest or a few, fading off as fast as they started. It’s all forgotten in a week or so. Memories of these happenings are more towards what was closed on the day of the tragedy. Community with beer and wine, closed, few work places in other communities closed. Coop gas stations taking a well deserved break, WHAT? My point is : not many cars the least, only care about what’s closed. It’s pathetic to see that.
Cronyism and individualism rules and the goods are left behind – in Nunavik and in each of its organization from the KRG, NVs, LHCs, Makivik, KI, Health Board, and the businesses like Suluk, Kuujjuaq Inn – cronyism and indivisualism power tripping. The ones who wants to do good are museled, fired, and left with no means for change. Sad. Condolescences to family of both the victim and the officer – not easy for no one.