Villanueva shooter says he was trapped

The police officer who shot 18-year-old Fredy Villanueva told a coroner's inquest Wednesday that he was cornered, without backup, and afraid his gun would be stolen from behind.

Jean-Loup Lapointe described pulling up to what he believed was an illegal dice game in Montreal North on Aug. 9, 2008.

Lapointe said he got out of the car and warned members of the group to stay put. Among them, Lapointe said, he saw two men he believed were street gang members, including Villanueva's older brother, Dany.

Lapointe told the inquest that Dany Villanueva first tried to run, and then returned and began behaving aggressively. In response, Lapointe said, he tried to wrestle the older Villanueva to the ground in order to arrest him.

Dany Villanueva was hitting him in the face, said Lapointe, and kicking at his partner, Stéphanie Pilotte. All the while Lapointe said he heard the other young men Villanueva had been playing dice close behind him.

Lapointe said he felt trapped next to his police cruiser. He explained that he then felt someone go for his belt and another reach for his neck.

"I couldn't wait any longer," he testified. "I made the decision to fire."

In total, Lapointe says 15 seconds passed between the time he called for backup and the time Pilotte called an ambulance while Fredy Villanueva lay dying.

When Lapointe described the moment he fired, there was a gasp of dismay in the court room. André Perreault, the Quebec Court Judge overseeing the inquest, told spectators to leave if they couldn't contain their emotions.

Perreault pointed to Fredy Villanueva's parents, who have attended the inquest throughout, as models of dignity.

Dany Villanueva and his sister cried as Lapointe went on to describe the panic that ensued. He testified that Fredy's cousin Marta was screaming inconsolably and that a man he'd said a friendly hello to just minutes before ran toward him, yelling over and over "What have you done, Lapointe?"

T-shirts questioned

As the testimony began Wednesday morning, more than two dozen people lifted up their sweaters to reveal pictures of the slain teen. Lapointe's lawyer raised an objection to Perreault.

Perreault had previously warned the court that no demonstrations — including T-shirts with anti-police slogans — would be permitted at the inquest. The judge said the message on the T-shirts appeared to be about remembrance and that he would allow their presence.

Perreault said his main concern was the behaviour of those attending the inquest,

Anti-police demonstrations

Around noon, approximately 60 protesters — including some of those who wore Villanueva T-shirts in the courtroom — gathered outside the courthouse. Some waved signs accusing Lapointe of being an executioner.

Organizers said they wanted to protest the special treatment Lapointe is being given, including the four body guards looking out for him.