Downtown Mission remembers man killed by police as 'a wonderful dude with a really good heart'

Windsor's Downtown Mission is still trying to come to terms with the death of Jason West, an Indigenous man shot and killed on Sept. 6 by Windsor police.

Matt Johnson, the director of programs and services, said West was a "wonderful" person  with a great spirit and a great heart, who was also very sick. 

"He had struggled with mental illness and substance use for a long, long time, but he was a wonderful dude with a really good heart who always made you laugh," Johnson told CBC News.

"Jason was one of one of our clients that — when he was good — all he wanted to do was help us, so he would clean without being asked, he would try and organize clients' belongings so they weren't strewn around everywhere. He was really helpful and he was really kind — not only to my staff team, but to the rest of the clients that we serve."

The Downtown Mission hosts a spiritual service every Friday. It provides an opportunity to remember friends who have died but also allows clients of the Mission to find or stay in touch with their spiritual side. West's death was marked during Friday's spiritual service. 

West was shot after officers responded to a call for a disturbance near the Beer Store on Goyeau Street around 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 6.

There was an interaction between Windsor police officers and West, 57, when they arrived on scene, according to Ontario's Special Investigations Unit (SIU).

The SIU is a civilian law enforcement agency that investigates serious circumstances involving police.

Two knives were also involved in the incident, the SIU says, before West was shot. 

West was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Steven Mull, who goes by Shaman Stirs the Fire, told CBC earlier this week he became close to West in a short period of time. The two lived together late last year and Mull said West referred to him as an uncle.

Following his death, Mull built a small memorial is outside the downtown Beer Store to remember West.

"I felt so sad. It's like losing your best friend," said Mull. "Even though he was a couple of years younger, he always referred to me as uncle and that's a sign of respect. That's a sign of being family, you know.

"It's always an honour because you're thought of as somebody who can help you on your path," he added.

'It's a big impact'

Johnson said the death has impacted everyone at the mission.

"Anytime one of their friends or one of their colleagues in the life that they're living passes away, it's a big impact," he said.

"My clients are used to people dying of overdoses, unfortunately. They've become more used to one of their friends and loved ones dying of violence perpetrated by themselves. This adds a little different layer when it's the police involved."