The family of a 43-year-old Hamilton man shot during an interaction with two Hamilton police officers last Saturday is calling for body cam and security footage of the shooting.
Erixon Kabera was shot and killed after officers were called to the Main Street West apartment building where his family says he lived.
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU), the provincial agency responsible for investigating police conduct, including instances where police have fired their weapons, is investigating.
According to the SIU, Hamilton Police responded to a call from a resident at 1964 Main Street West, just before 5 p.m. on Nov. 9. The caller reported "a man acting in a threatening manner," said the SIU in its first press release on the case, issued on Nov. 9. Officers responded to the fifth floor of the apartment building.
SIU said two police officers became "involved in an interaction with a man."
"Two officers discharged their firearms and the man was struck," the SIU release says.
On the day of the shooting, Hamilton Police posted on Twitter/X, stating, "Hamilton Police are investigating after an officer was injured after responding to a 911 call, where he was confronted by a male with a firearm."
The man who died was identified as Kabera by his family, not by Hamilton police or SIU. Kabera also lived in the apartment building at 1964 Main Street West, according to family.
SIU said Kabera and a Hamilton police officer received gunshot wounds at the scene.
Kabera and the officer were taken to hospital, said SIU. The officer had a minor injury and has since been released. In a second release, SIU reported that Kabera passed away in hospital just after midnight on Nov. 10.
Police chief comments on 'factual inaccuracies'
Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen released a statement Wednesday, saying he wanted to clear up "factual inaccuracies" around the case. He clarified that SIU is investigating the shooting, not Hamilton Police, and information on the investigation will come from the SIU only.
He clarified that, "A person residing in the building called police because there was a male at their door believed to be in possession of a handgun. Police responded to the address as a result of this call."
In the SIU's second press release, it stated, "Based on information that has come to light in the course of the investigation, it does not appear that [Kabera] discharged a firearm."
FlamboroughToday asked SIU for clarification on whether or not Kabera had or fired a weapon, and how the officer was injured. SIU was not able to provide more information at this time.
On Nov. 11, Kabera's family released a statement about his death, and the questions that remain.
"We, his family and close friends, found this explanation deeply troubling. Erixon was not known to possess a gun, nor did he have a history of condoning or engaging in any type of violence. He was a peaceful man who valued harmony and community, making this claim profoundly difficult to reconcile with the person we knew and loved," the statement says.
The family is calling for the SIU to release surveillance and body cam footage of the shooting, stating they found the initial report that Kabera exchanged gunfire with police "disconcerting," and that crucial facts in the shooting were reversed.
Bergen said he will not be able to provide clarification, as the matter is under investiagion by the SIU.
"I know there are many unanswered questions and I trust the SIU will work to address these in a full, timely, transparent manner," he wrote in his statement.
He said he has been in contact with the Rwandan community, which Kabera's family said he was heavily involved in.
Vigil in memory of Erixson Kabera
Community members, including Hamilton MPP Sarah Jama and MP Matthew Green, are set to attend a vigil in Kabera's honour Thursday at 6 p.m., starting at Hamilton city hall.
During the vigil, Erixon’s family and the Rwandan-Canadian community will speak out about the shooting.
But the vigil will also be a time to remember Kabera for his family and community.
Kabera was the father of three sons, Garry Sean, Terry, and Zack, according to the family's statement, and was deeply involved with Ontario's Rwandan community.
His family wrote that Kabera worked as a Resource Officer with the Canada Revenue Agency for around 20 years, and was vice president of the Rwandan Community Abroad in Toronto and as an advisor for the Rwandan Canadian Healing Centre.
"We are devastated for this unspeakable loss of a man who was a giant in his own right, the kindest soul we’ve ever known and the pillar of our family and community," the statement from the family reads.
