Manitoba police watchdog investigating after man, 35, died following encounter with Winnipeg police

Manitoba's police watchdog is looking into the death of a 35-year-old man who died after an encounter with Winnipeg police on Saturday.

The man "became unresponsive" during the encounter and later died in hospital, Winnipeg police Chief Danny Smyth said at a news conference Sunday.

A woman called police for help just after midnight Saturday, said Smyth. He said she told police her boyfriend was intoxicated and she was worried for the safety of her toddler and two infants who were inside their apartment suite on Fairlane Avenue, between Freemont Bay and Buchanan Boulevard.

"There was a lot of yelling, a lot of commotion in the background," Smyth said at the news conference inside Winnipeg police headquarters.

Following the domestic-related call, police were dispatched to the suite at 12:09 a.m. In the meantime, the woman fled to another suite in the building, Smyth said.

Seven minutes later, the woman called police back and said her boyfriend had fallen down the stairs from their second-floor suite and was lying in the snow at the base of the stairs. Another caller said the man had wandered into the parking lot but had fallen on the ground, said Smyth.

When police arrived at 12:23 a.m., officers found the man lying in the parking lot. While they handcuffed him and started to bring him to a police car, he "became unresponsive," Smyth said.

"It looks like he went limp while they were escorting him," he said. "Police officers stopped at that point. They called for an ambulance, and they administered first aid."

The man was taken to the hospital, where Smyth said he died on Saturday.

The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) of Manitoba, which investigates all serious matters involving police in the province, has taken over the investigation.

"I've had contact with the family, and I know they're grieving the sudden loss of their loved one," Smyth said.

An autopsy is expected to happen on Monday. The woman and the three children were not injured.

Police pushing more transparency in light of videos

With more videos circulating showing arrests, both from police and supposed citizen's arrests, Smyth said it's imperative that police be transparent.

"A whole narrative could take off without anyone really knowing what occurred," he said.

Smyth stressed the importance of providing context surrounding any given incident, and said it's "a balancing act" between informing the public and respecting an investigation from Manitoba's police watchdog.

The chief was asked if officers need enhanced training around officer safety and use of force, but he said it comes down to "judgment" on the part of the officers.

"Every situation is a little bit different. Officers are trained to manage it depending on what they encounter in the field," Smyth said.

It's now up to the IIU to determine if the officers acted appropriately.

Taxi driver attacked with axe

Winnipeg police also contacted Manitoba's police watchdog Friday evening after an axe-wielding man was apprehended a short distance away from the Garden City Shopping Centre, Smyth said.

Officers were contacted shortly after 6 p.m. that night after a man allegedly attacked a taxi driver in a parking lot and injured him with the axe, then fled in the stolen cab, said Smyth.

Nearby police units stopped the vehicle and the suspect allegedly tried to escape on foot before being apprehended by officers, Smyth said.

While in custody, the man complained about a sore ankle, Smyth said. He was taken to hospital where medical staff determined he had a fractured ankle.

As a result of the injury, the IIU was contacted, and they will review the incident.