The death of Jamal Francique, a 28-year-old man shot by Peel Regional Police in 2020, has prompted the Coroner’s Office to launch an official investigation.
Francique was involved in an incident on Jan. 7, 2020, in Mississauga, where he was shot during an arrest. Following a thorough inquiry by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the police officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing.
According to the SIU report, Francique, a Black man, was suspected of drug dealing and possessing a firearm. While it remains unconfirmed whether he was actually carrying a gun or involved in drug activities, the police decided to apprehend him for allegedly violating his bail conditions.
During the arrest, plainclothes officers and unmarked vehicles surrounded Francique’s car, but a delay in one officer’s response led to a critical moment. As Francique accelerated and hit a vehicle before heading towards another, an officer on foot fired four shots, resulting in severe injuries that proved fatal two days later.
Peel police disclosed that an illegal firearm, found at the scene, was loaded at the time.
The upcoming inquest aims to delve into the circumstances surrounding Francique’s tragic demise, with potential recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. More information regarding the investigation will be made available at a later time.
In response to the incident, Francique’s family has taken legal action, alleging negligence on the part of the police force, local paramedics, and the oversight agencies involved. They have also lodged a formal complaint with the Officer of the Independent Police Review Director, an independent body tasked with addressing public complaints regarding police conduct.