Man who died in police clash laid to rest
‘No one deserved to pass away like that’
• Relatives of Abdirahman Abdi demanded answers but said they were trying to be patient while awaiting the findings of an “open and transparent” investigation into his death.
“He was such a kindhearted person. What occurred to him that Sunday wasn’t fair at all,” the family said in a statement read at Abdi’s funeral Friday by Imam Sikander Hashmi from the Kanata Muslim Association.
“It shouldn’t be justified by any means. No human being, especially someone as innocent as him, deserved to pass away like that.”
It was the family’s first public statement since Abdi’s death Monday, the day after a violent confrontation with Ottawa police. Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit is probing the actions of two officers in the minutes between when police were called to a Hintonburg neighbourhood coffee shop for a man allegedly fondling a woman to when a bleeding and handcuffed Abdi was taken to hospital without vital signs.
“Abdirahman’s loss has taken an unimaginable toll on our family, friends, neighbours and all who knew him through work and school. We all have many questions, but we are trying to be as patient as possible as the investigation is in progress,” the statement said. “We need answers.” Friday’s f uneral drew more than 800 mourners to the Ottawa Mosque, with many more spilling out the front steps and on to the lawn outside.
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, Kitchissippi Ward Coun. Jeff Leiper, and MPPs Yasir Naqvi, Bob Chiarelli and John Fraser were among the dignitaries who attended. Police chief Charles Bordeleau was not there, although several Ottawa officers, in civilian clothes, did attend.
Watson, who was out of the city at the time of Abdi’s death, met briefly with Abdi’s parents before the funeral and thanked them for inviting him to participate.
Watson said he was “inspired” by the strength and resilience of the Somali community.
“During these difficult and challenging times we need to continue to work together to overcome dividing forces and strive to emerge more unified than before,” Watson said.
Chiarelli said it is always difficult for a family to say goodbye to loved ones.
“But it’s much more difficult when there are so many questions that come out of the circumstances around his death,” he said.
“In the weeks and months to come we will have to look for answers, but I’m 100-percent confident that our community will build on this experience to make a better community.”
Chiarelli mentioned the death three years ago of his own son, who suffered from schizophrenia. Abdi, too, suffered from mental illness.
“I know the challenges of mental illness,” he said, noting that it was an area “where we can make very significant improvements.”
In their statement, the family described Abdi as an “amazing son and brother and a kind- hearted uncle.” He was someone who was quiet and kept to himself. He was shy around women, they said.
“We cannot recall a moment we’ve seen him get angry.”
After Friday’s prayers, Abdi’s plain wooden coffin, covered in a green and gold shroud, was borne to the front of the mosque for final prayers before being taken for a private burial.
Family members said they wouldn’t make any further statement and asked for privacy.
A video posted online this week depicts the 37-year-old Abdi on the ground bleeding, with his pants down below his waist and his face on the pavement.
It’s not clear from the video, which shows only what happened while police waited for paramedics, what had transpired. No use of force by police is captured on video. It’s not clear if Abdi was conscious or breathing when the video was filmed.