September 30, 2005
Police cleared in death
Natives protest outcome
By CP

An aboriginal group accused Winnipeg police yesterday of whitewashing an investigation into the fatal shooting of a native teenager.

While police have yet to release the results of their investigation and have so far refused to comment on it, the Southern Chiefs Organization said the report clears police of any wrongdoing.

"According to the Winnipeg city police, Matthew Dumas's shooting was justified," Nahanni Fontaine, the organization's director of justice, told reporters.

"Those were the exact words that were given to the family of a young man who just happened to be walking down the street."

Dumas, 18, was shot and killed in the North End Jan. 31 after allegedly pulling a screwdriver on officers who had been chasing him as a suspect in a robbery.

Although the officer involved is Metis, the shooting quickly prompted cries of racism from some aboriginal leaders.

Fontaine met with police officials and Dumas's family last week to discuss the internal police investigation into the death.

She said the probe lays the blame on Dumas.

According to Fontaine, the investigation has come to several conclusions about the shooting, including:

* Dumas had nothing to do with the reported robbery but was stopped because he wore a blue bandanna similar to a tuque worn by the suspect.

* Dumas tried to run away from officers who stopped him but later turned toward them armed with a screwdriver.

* Dumas was warned four times to drop the screwdriver and pepper-sprayed once, yet continued to walk toward one police officer.

* Dumas was one metre away from the officer when the officer fired two shots.

Fontaine said the Southern Chiefs Organization, which represents 36 reserves in Manitoba, doesn't believe the investigation's findings because the probe was not independent.

For example, the group said there was no evidence of pepper spray on Dumas's clothing.

Dumas's family said police acted improperly.

"Matthew didn't taunt the officers," said Jessica Paul, Dumas's older sister.

"He feared for himself, being chased by cops with guns drawn. Things should have been handled differently."

Police spokeswoman Cst. Shelly Glover said a preliminary investigation report has been handed to Calgary police for external review. Police will not comment on the case until that review is complete.