Home / Crime and Justice / Coroner's inquest to probe 2019 police killing of Greg Ritchie
Coroner's inquest to probe 2019 police killing of Greg Ritchie
15 Sep
Summary
- A coroner's inquest will investigate Greg Ritchie's 2019 death by Ottawa police.
- Ritchie was carrying a handmade object, not a knife as initially reported.
- The SIU did not recommend charges, citing reasonable force by officers.
A coroner's inquest has been announced into the death of Greg Ritchie, a 30-year-old Ojibway man who was fatally shot by Ottawa police on January 31, 2019. Initially, police were dispatched following a report of Ritchie carrying a large knife, but he was actually on his way to pick up medication with a handmade object.
During an altercation, officers first deployed a Taser before firing their guns when Ritchie advanced towards them with the object raised. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) concluded their investigation without recommending charges, stating that the officers' use of lethal force was reasonably necessary given the circumstances.
Ritchie, a member of Saugeen First Nation, was reportedly seeking mental health treatment at the time of the incident. His family later settled a civil suit against the police for an undisclosed amount and had called for enhanced police training.
The inquest aims to thoroughly review the events surrounding Ritchie's death and to develop recommendations to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Details regarding the date and location of the inquest will be released later.
