Manitoba Watchdog Recommends No Charges for Officers in Fatal 2024 Incident
In a recent decision, Manitoba’s police watchdog has concluded that no charges will be filed against officers involved in a fatal shooting incident that occurred in 2024. The incident took place when police responded to a shoplifting report in Winnipeg, where the man, later identified as Jordan Charlie, allegedly attacked an officer with a knife.
Incident Overview
The incident transpired near a bus shelter at the Unicity Shopping Centre. Officers were called to the scene after someone reported a suspicious individual. This individual was identified as 24-year-old Jordan Charlie from Nunavut. According to the report from the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU), Charlie attacked an officer, stabbing him in the throat.
Investigation Findings
The final report, dated December 1, concluded that the officers acted reasonably given the circumstances they faced. The IIU highlighted that the officers did not commit any criminal offense during the tragic encounter, leading to the decision not to recommend charges.
- Incident Date: 2024
- Victim: Jordan Charlie, 24, from Nunavut
- Location: Unicity Shopping Centre, Winnipeg
Witness accounts, including those from a loss prevention officer at a nearby Walmart, detailed the unfolding events. She reported seeing Charlie triggering an alarm as he left the store. Once the police arrived, they ordered Charlie to drop his weapons, which included an axe and a knife.
The Events Leading to the Shooting
Witnesses observed the police repeatedly instructing Charlie to drop his weapons prior to the shooting. Following the incident, officers provided medical assistance as Charlie lay on the ground. The investigation pointed out that a hatchet and an X-Acto knife were found near the scene, as well as Charlie’s backpack containing two sealed axes and a Rapala fisherman’s fillet combo.
Background on Jordan Charlie
Before this incident, Charlie had a troubled past that included previous convictions and mental health issues. He had been serving a 4½-year sentence at Stony Mountain Institution resulting from two unprovoked attacks in Yellowknife. Reports indicated that during his time, Charlie expressed a desire to seek treatment for drug addiction and secure employment.
Mental Health Struggles
Charlie’s history included a suicide attempt that resulted in lasting brain damage. His upbringing was marked by addiction and exposure to violence. A psychiatric assessment in 2022 revealed that he struggled with chronic mental health issues, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities.
Ultimately, this investigation by the IIU highlights the complexities surrounding policing and mental health crises. The decision not to charge the officers involved in the shooting underscores the difficulties authorities face in high-pressure situations. As communities grapple with the implications of such incidents, discussions around mental health support and crisis intervention remain critical.
