No holster demonstration at Villanueva inquest

The coroner overseeing the inquest into the death of Fredy Villanueva rejected a request to have the police officer involved in the shooting demonstrate how easily he could have been disarmed.

Montreal police Const. Jean-Loup Lapointe spent his seventh day on the stand as the inquest into the fatal shooting of the 18-year-old continued at the Montreal courthouse Tuesday. Two other men were also shot but survived.

In earlier testimony, Lapointe said he shot Villanueva because he feared his life and that of his partner were in "imminent danger" and he was worried about being disarmed.

He said he was surrounded by a group of young men in a park — and some of them were reaching for his gun.

Lawyers representing the Montreal police department opposed a request for Lapointe to demonstrate the ease with which an assailant could disarm him, arguing that the way the mechanism holding officers' guns in the holster should remain secret.

That argument was accepted by Quebec Court judge André Perreault, who is heading the inquest.

The decision was a disappointment for lawyer Jacky-Éric Salvant, who is representing two of Villanueva’s acquaintances, Jonathan Sénatus and Anthony Clavasquin, who witnessed their friend's shooting. Salvant had hoped to prove there was no real risk that the officer would have been disarmed that afternoon.

Officer had good reputation

During his testimony Tuesday, Lapointe described himself as a police officer who did not expect citizens to fear him.

Working on bike patrol for at least one season, Lapointe said he had tried to get to know people in the community.

Lapointe said he believed he had a good reputation in the areas he patrolled.

Villanueva was shot on Aug. 9, 2008, after two Montreal police officers intervened when they saw the teen and a group of friends — including known street gang members —  playing dice in a park in Montreal North.

Some community groups have claimed the confrontation stemmed from racial profiling.

The shooting of Villanueva sparked violent riots in the working-class community.

Deportation hearing Thursday

Later this week the inquest is scheduled to hear from Villanueva’s older brother, Dany, a Honduran national who is expected to face a deportation hearing on Thursday.

Immigration officials will re-evaluate the 23-year-old’s permanent resident status in light of his criminal record. Supporters of the Villanueva family have questioned the timing of the deportation hearing in light of the ongoing inquest.