'We need justice': Family of man shot and killed by Winnipeg police nearly a year ago still seeking answers

The family of a University of Manitoba student who was shot and killed during an encounter with Winnipeg police is demanding answers nearly one year after his death.

Afolabi Opaso, 19, was shot and killed by police during a well-being check on Dec. 31, 2023. Police said they received a call about a man acting erratically and claimed Opaso was holding two knives when he was shot.

In a news conference on Monday, Opaso’s family said they are still hurting and said the year since their son’s death has left them with more questions about what happened.

“Our family deserves transparency, accountability, and above all, we need justice,” said Yemini Opaso, Afolabi’s sister. “The delay in the investigation has only compounded our grief, giving us the feeling as though Afolabi’s life and death are being treated with indifference."

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU), the province's police watchdog, was originally assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting. However, in January 2024, the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) assumed the investigation after investigators found a Manitoba Justice employee was a close relative of an officer involved in the shooting.

Lawyers working with the family say ASIRT investigators have been in touch with them throughout the investigation and are awaiting the final report and findings to determine next steps, including potential civil action.

"That report is important, not only for the family, but for everybody,” said Benjamin Nkani Bassi, a lawyer working for the family. “We want a safe community...We want a community where the police is accountable. This is not a vendetta. This is not retaliation. It's just to have due processes in place that we can trust our community, we can trust our judicial system, we can trust our law enforcement."

CTV News Winnipeg has reached out to the ASIRT and the Alberta government but has yet to receive a response.