Police watchdog investigates Puvirnituq injury

Quebec’s police watchdog is investigating an incident in Puvirnituq that left one person wounded during an interaction with Nunavik Police Service officers.

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes, which investigates cases where people are injured or killed during contact with police, launched the investigation Tuesday, following the incident.

Officers responded to a call at around 1:30 p.m. about an intoxicated person causing a disturbance.

When they arrived, officers “made contact” with a person armed with a firearm outside of a residence before they fired at the person.

The person received first aid and was then transported to hospital. The bureau said their condition is stable.

Four people have died in Nunavik in interactions with police in the past year and a half.

Joshua Papigatuk died in November 2024 and his twin brother Garnet was badly injured after they were shot by police.

In May 2025, Mark R. Annanack died in Kangiqsualujjuaq after a confrontation with police. In July 2025, James Kavik in Inukjuak died after an incident involving police.

Then in December, a six-year-old girl identified by a family member as Alacie Iqaluk died and her father, Andrew Naluktuk, was injured in a police-involved shooting in Inukjuak.

The bureau has given prosecutors its reports into all four cases. No announcement has been made on whether charges will be laid.