Officer Fatally Shoots Man During Struggle, Inquest Hears

Key facts

• Justin Bourassa, 29, was fatally shot by a London police officer on October 28, 2021.
• Officer Joshua Ryan testified that Bourassa was struggling with his partner, Officer Ryan Hendrick, at the time of the shooting.
• Bourassa had allegedly wrapped his arm around Hendrick's neck in a rear chokehold.
• Ryan fired his weapon, striking Bourassa in the neck, after attempting to separate the officers.
• The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) cleared the officer who fired the shot in June 2022.
• Bourassa's family is suing the London police for negligence and unlawful arrest.
• The inquest is examining use-of-force policies and the circumstances of the fatal encounter.

A Life Interrupted, A Struggle Detailed

The life of Justin Bourassa, a 29-year-old Franco-Ontarian described by his mother as "loving" and "empathetic," was cut short on October 28, 2021. He was fatally shot by a London police officer during a struggle that began when officers responded to a reported downtown break-in. Officer Joshua Ryan, who fired the fatal shot, has provided a detailed account of the incident during a coroner's inquest. Ryan testified that he and his partner, Officer Ryan Hendrick, were responding to the break-in call when they spotted Bourassa. Believing he matched a suspect's description, they approached him. Bourassa began to run, but the officers pursued, informing him of their investigation and their intent to detain him for questioning. Ryan stated he intended to handcuff and search Bourassa, with the understanding he would be released if not the suspect they sought. The situation escalated dramatically.ed to control Bourassa's arms, all three individuals fell to the ground. Ryan described Bourassa as having his arm wrapped around Hendrick's neck in a rear chokehold, with Hendrick struggling to breathe and call for help. Ryan recounted drawing his firearm, placing his left hand on Hendrick's head for stability, and aiming his right hand at what he perceived to be Bourassa's center of gravity before firing.

Family Recalls a Passionate Athlete and a Life Disrupted

Lorraine Sabourin Bourassa, Justin's mother, opened the inquest by painting a portrait of her son as a devoted athlete with a passion for tennis. From the age of 10, tennis was central to his life, leading him to compete in tournaments as a teenager and later become a coach at the Sarnia Tennis Club. His dream was to pursue a professional circuit, a goal he paused his massage therapy career to chase in Florida in late 2019. However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted Bourassa's life. The closure of tennis clubs due to sanitary measures not only impacted his work but also his routine and sense of community. To maintain his fitness, Bourassa turned to long-distance cycling and running, undertaking journeys that sometimes took him as far as Ottawa or Montreal. His parents remained concerned, maintaining close contact and setting clear boundaries when necessary. The last time his mother saw him was a week before his death, during a visit.

The Inquest and the SIU's Findings

The coroner's inquest, presided over by Coroner Murray Segal, is examining the circumstances surrounding Bourassa's death. Such inquiries are mandatory when police use of force results in a fatality, and the jury may issue recommendations to prevent similar incidents. The proceedings will delve into police policies on the use of force and the protocols for reporting after traumatic events. The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Ontario's police watchdog, investigated the shooting. Their report, released in June 2022, concluded that the officer who fired the shot acted in a manner consistent with self-defense and the defense of another officer. The SIU noted that the officer involved did not use a baton or pepper spray to de-escalate the situation. The officer who fired did not provide an interview or notes to the SIU, which is permitted under their process. Crucially, the confirmed that Justin Bourassa was not involved in the break-in the officers were investigating when they approached him. This fact became known to the police only after the incident.

Legal Battles and Questions of Force

Despite the SIU's findings clearing the officer, the Bourassa family has pursued legal action. In the fall of 2023, they filed a lawsuit against the London police, alleging negligence, unlawful arrest, and confinement, among other claims. David Shellnutt, the family's lawyer, has previously stated a desire to understand why non-lethal means were not employed to subdue Bourassa. Meaghan Daniel, representing Bourassa's family at the inquest, highlighted key areas of inquiry. "We will be looking at the use of lethal force, especially when less dangerous options are available, de-escalation, and investigative detention," she explained. The inquest aims to shed light on the critical moments leading to the shooting and to determine if police procedures were followed appropriately. The duration of the struggle, estimated by some accounts to be between 45 to 60 seconds during which Bourassa allegedly attempted to choke Officer Hendrick, is a central point of contention. The decision by Officer Ryan to use his firearm, rather than less lethal options, is under scrutiny within the context of the unfolding, chaotic events.

Broader Implications for Police Conduct

The inquest into Justin Bourassa's death extends beyond the specific events of that night. It serves as a platform to scrutinize the broader policies and practices surrounding police use of force in Ontario. The jury's potential recommendations could influence future training, departmental guidelines, and the protocols for responding to dynamic and potentially dangerous situations. Questions surrounding the initial approach to Bourassa, the decision-making process during the struggle, and the ultimate resort to lethal force are central to the proceedings. The inquest must balance the officers' stated need to protect themselves and their colleague with the imperative to preserve life and employ de-escalation techniques whenever feasible. As the inquest unfolds over its scheduled seven days, it seeks to provide clarity for the Bourassa family and to identify any systemic issues that may require reform within the London Police Service and potentially across the province. The outcome will be closely watched by civil liberties advocates and law enforcement agencies alike.

The bottom line

• Justin Bourassa, 29, died after being shot by a London police officer on October 28, 2021.
• Officer Joshua Ryan testified that he shot Bourassa during a struggle where his partner, Officer Ryan Hendrick, was being choked.
• The SIU cleared the officer who fired the shot, finding it was in defense of himself and his partner.
• Bourassa's family is pursuing a civil lawsuit against the London police, alleging negligence and unlawful arrest.
• The ongoing coroner's inquest will examine the circumstances of the death and police use-of-force policies.
• Bourassa was not involved in the break-in the officers were investigating at the time of the encounter.