Winnipeg police kill knife- wielding man

WINNIPEG— A knife- wielding man was shot by police in a north Winnipeg neighbourhood late Friday night and later died in hospital.

Sgt. Kelly Dennison said officers were called to a home just before midnight to answer a call about a domestic dispute and were met by a 34- year- old man with a knife.

“ This confrontation escalated to the point where this male was shot by police,” Dennison said in an interview Saturday.

Police did not release the man’s name but relatives identified him as Howard Fleury. Dennison refused to detail how the situation escalated with officers on the scene, if anyone else was hurt or taken into custody, or how many officers were involved. The shooting occurred in a neighbourhood known for its high crime rate.

“ We will release more, but we have to give our officers more time and the family more time,” Dennison said. The officers involved were immediately placed on three days administrative leave, Dennison said. As with any shooting involving police, the Winnipeg police homicide squad is heading the investigation, Dennison said.

Fleury’s six children and two grandchildren were on the snow- covered lawn with their mother when police entered the home before the deadly altercation, said David Chartrand, president of the Manitoba Métis Federation.

Chartrand, who was in Saskatoon at the time of the shooting, commended police for calling him about it early Saturday morning.

“Police indicated that when they entered the house, something went wrong,” he said. “There was pepper spray involved, and then something went wrong. Mr. Fleury had a knife, and I guess he reacted in a forceful way, and police feeling their life was threatened then utilized their weapons.” He also said police told him Fleury was shot four times.

Chartrand said he has talked with Fleury’s family and assured them he would find out if the shooting was justified.

“ Society in general has changed so much. There is so much death. Someone gets shot so easily now . . . but at the same time, we have to ensure they don’t use lethal force if they don’t have to. We have to make sure everything was followed according to procedure.”