The family of a man who was fatally shot by police in Edmonton has launched a lawsuit against the Edmonton Police Service (EPS), citing a lack of answers and accountability.
On July 3, 2020, 22-year-old Austin Eaglechief was shot and killed by EPS officers during a confrontation in a residential neighbourhood. The officers were responding to a call about a man with a weapon, and Eaglechief was reportedly armed with a knife.
According to the lawsuit, filed by Eaglechief’s family on Monday, the officers used excessive force and failed to de-escalate the situation before resorting to lethal force. The family also alleges that the officers did not follow proper protocol and failed to provide medical assistance to Eaglechief after he was shot.
Eaglechief’s mother, Crystal Lafferty, spoke at a press conference on Monday, expressing her frustration and grief over the loss of her son. “There are so many questions and no answers,” she said. “We want to know why this happened and why the officers couldn’t have handled the situation differently.”
The family’s lawyer, Tom Engel, stated that the lawsuit is seeking damages for the loss of Eaglechief’s life, as well as changes to EPS policies and training to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
In response to the lawsuit, EPS released a statement saying that they are aware of the legal action and will be reviewing the allegations. They also stated that they are committed to transparency and accountability in their actions.
This is not the first time that EPS has faced criticism for their use of force. In 2020, the service faced backlash after the release of a report that found Indigenous people in Edmonton were disproportionately targeted by police.
The lawsuit filed by Eaglechief’s family is just one example of the ongoing conversation surrounding police accountability and the need for reform in law enforcement. As the case moves forward, the family and their legal team are hoping for answers and justice for Eaglechief’s death.
