Police watchdog looking into Salluit, Que., shooting that killed 1, injured another

A logo for BEI, Quebec’s independent police bureau, is seen in Louiseville, Que., Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Ryan Remiorz / The Canadian Press)

Quebec’s police watchdog (BEI) is investigating an intervention by the Nunavik Police Service that killed someone and severely injured another in Salluit, Que., Monday.

Initial information released to the BEI suggests one person was killed by an officer and another suffered serious injuries. Videos posted online show a man being shot at close range by an officer.

A news release published Tuesday said police were called around 4 a.m. Monday about a possible drunk driver. Two police officers then showed up and there was a "physical altercation" between the officers and two people on-site, according to the BEI.

Police then used stun guns and pepper spray in an "unsuccessful attempt to subdue the people," according to the news release. That's when an officer shot and killed one person. The "altercation" continued with the second person before the officer shot and injured him. First aid was performed by police officers at the scene before the two victims were transported to hospital where one was pronounced dead and the other's condition was reported stable, according to the BEI.

Members of the community gathered after the incident to show solidarity with the victims and denounce police brutality.

Five investigators will be dispatched soon to investigate further and meet with witnesses, the BEI said in a news release.

It adds that further details will be shared “once the BEI has gathered more information”.

A parallel criminal investigation into these events has been entrusted to the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), which will act as the BEI’s support police force.

Salluit is an Inuit fly-in village of just over 1,400 people, about 1,850 kilometres north of Montreal.

Contacted by The Canadian Press, the SQ declined to comment on the case.

With files from The Canadian Press