'Instead of getting help, he got three bullets': Family of man killed in Repentigny demand answers
The family of 37-year-old Jean-René “Junior” Olivier is demanding answers after he was shot and killed by Repentigny police officers on Sunday.
Family members believe the officers’ conduct was motivated by anti-Black racism.
Marie-Mireille Bence, Olivier’s mother, call to police that morning after she says he appeared to be in a state of psychosis while holding a knife.
She says Oliver told her he was seeing people around him that wanted to harm him.
Bence’s brother reportedly asked him to put the knife down, but he refused. She says she had no choice but to call the police.
“I called for help and then found my son on the ground,” said Bence Monday. “I find this absurd. There were other ways to do this, other means of disarming him, but they didn’t do that.”
Marie-Mireille Bence, mother of Jean-Rene Jr. Olivier, who was shot dead by police, holds a picture of her son in front of the family home in Repentigny, Que. on Monday, August 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Marie-Mireille Bence, mother of Jean-Rene Jr. Olivier, who was shot dead by police, holds a picture of her son in front of the family home in Repentigny, Que. on Monday, Aug\. 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
According to a report from Quebec's police watchdog (BEI), a 911 call was placed at 7:33 a.m. Sunday about "a confused and disoriented individual armed with a knife."
When paramedics and officers from Repentigny police arrived at the scene, they located Olivier, who was outside with another individual.
"The police tried to write the man a ticket, but he fled on foot," the BEI notes. "The subject allegedly had a knife in his possession and was threatening the officers."
The BEI states the officers tried "in vain" to reason with the man, even using pepper spray "without success."
"The police officers fired several shots at the man and hit him fatally," the report concludes.
Following the incident, the BEI was called to investigate "whether this information is accurate."
Dolmine Laguerre, a cousin of Jean-Rene Jr. Olivier, shows a knife similar to the one that was holding the victim before being shot dead by a police officer during a news conference in Repentigny, Que. on Monday, August 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Dolmine Laguerre, a cousin of Jean-Rene Jr. Olivier, shows a knife similar to the one that was holding the victim before being shot dead by a police officer during a news conference in Repentigny, Que. on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
“Instead of getting help, he got three bullets,” said Olivier’s cousin, Domine Lageurre. “Black people don’t have justice nowadays.”
Bence says she needs answers from the police chief and the mayor to "tell us what happened."
“As a mother, I don’t feel my kids are safe. Our kids are not safe, her kids are not safe, look at these young men here, are they safe?” she argued, referencing family and community members.
A STRING OF COMPLAINTS
The incident comes after a string of racial profiling complaints against Repentigny police.
In July, the Quebec Human Rights Commission ruled that the City of Repentigny and two local police officers should pay $38,000 in damages to former resident Leslie Blot for racial profiling.
In 2017, Blot was arrested in front of his house during a party. At the time, he claimed two police officers pulled up and questioned him because he was sitting in the passenger seat of his friend's car blowing up an inflatable children's toy.
The officers insist they questioned him because the car was not from Repentigny. It was registered in Laval, 30 minutes away.
Blot was arrested, handcuffed and given four tickets totalling over $700. One of the police officers erased Blot's recording of the intervention.
It was the fourth time the commission ruled against the city for racial profiling in a year.
“We still have about a dozen other complaints before the Human Rights Commission and we think those will complaints will be upheld,” said Fo Niemi, executive director at the Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR). “[Olivier's] family has not received any call from the police chief of the mayor, [not even] a word of condolence or a word of regret.”
The BEI is asking any potential witnesses of the incident involving Olivier to contact them via their website.
-- with files from CTV News's Daniel J. Rowe.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.