No criminal investigation of paramedics in shooting
HAMILTON — Could Yosif Al-Hasnawi still be alive if he had received faster medical treatment?
It’s a question on the minds of the 19year-old’s friends and family amid allegations paramedics did not believe the Good Samaritan was seriously injured as he lay dying from a single gunshot wound. It’s also a matter under investigation by the Hamilton Paramedic Service and the Ontario Ministry of Health, but not part of the Hamilton police probe into the murder.
Al-Hasnawi died in hospital an hour after being shot when he tried to stop two men from harassing an older man outside the Main Street East mosque where he had been attending a religious celebration Saturday night. Multiple witnesses have accused paramedics of grabbing, shaking, laughing at and failing to quickly transport him to hospital.
Once finally loaded into the ambulance, it’s not clear why Al-Hasnawi was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital, not the closer Hamilton General Hospital — the regional trauma centre. The first-year Brock University student and oldest of five was pronounced dead around 10 p.m., an hour after being shot.
“I think if they acted really quickly, they can save his life,” said Amin Al-Tahir, director of the Al-Moustafa Islamic Centre, who saw the saw the ambulance leave the scene without sirens or flashing lights.
In an interview with CTV News, his father Majed Al-Hasnawi called the paramedic he met at hospital “arrogant” and said he believed his son may have been saved with quicker attention.
But police say they do not have evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
“At this time there is no criminal investigation into the conduct,” said homicide unit Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk.
The police service’s focus is on catching the alleged shooter, considered armed and dangerous. Dale Burningsky King, 19, remains at large, wanted for second-degree murder.
Berezuik cautioned that anyone helping King could face charges.
James Matheson, 20, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder and remains in custody.
On Saturday night Hamilton police were the first on scene, Berezuik said. But para- medics followed soon behind.
Witnesses had thought Al-Hasnawi was shot with an air gun, because he didn’t appear to be bleeding heavily. But it was actually a small handgun — a weapon police have not recovered.
It’s unclear who was the first to assume the injuries were not serious.
Hamilton police said that if any misconduct is identified on their part, the service “will take the appropriate steps to have the matter reviewed.”
In a statement Tuesday, Hamilton Paramedic Service spokesperson Allison Jones said the service is focused on the initial stages of their investigation.
“Hamilton Paramedic Service takes this process very seriously and their priority is to ensure the integrity of the investigation and the privacy of all parties involved,” she said.
Questions about the steps involved in the investigation, including whether the paramedics are suspended, what penalties they could face, and what will be made public were not answered.
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care spokesperson David Jensen similarly said it “takes public complaints regarding ambulance services very seriously” and confirmed an investigation had been opened into the Hamilton incident.
However, also citing the ongoing investigation, Jensen said it would be inappropriate to comment further.
It’s rare, but not unheard of for paramed- ics to be charged for on-duty behaviour. The maximum sentence under the Ambulance Act is a year of imprisonment and a $25,000 fine.
In 2014, Hamilton paramedic Paul Zenchuk was sentenced to two years probation and 200 hours of community service for not properly treating 59-year-old Michael Farrance in 2011.
Farrance died in hospital from an injury after being pushed by police and from brain damage caused by lack of oxygen. The Special Investigations Unit cleared the police of wrongdoing, but Zenchuk was charged by the province. It was the first case in Ontario where a paramedic had been convicted of failing to properly treat a patient.
The head of the union representing Hamilton paramedics said he couldn’t comment on the current investigation in the Al-Hasnawi case or the paramedics involved “given that the matter is under investigation by numerous agencies.”
Paramedics are “looking forward to a thorough and fair investigation into this tragic event,” said Mario Posteraro, president of Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 256. “I’m hopeful for an outcome that will satisfy family and the public.”
“First and foremost Hamilton paramedics want to express our heartfelt condolence to the family of Yosif Al-Hasnawi for their loss,” he said.