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HAMILTON – A date has been set for the inquest into the death of a Fergus man killed by police in 2021.
The province announced the coroner has set aside 10 days starting Dec. 2 for a hearing examining the circumstances around Mathias Bunyan’s death.
Bunyan was 31 years old when he was shot and killed by police in his Fergus apartment on Aug. 15, 2021.
An SIU report said police responded to a domestic disturbance and possible mental health issues as a man was heard screaming and yelling inside his Belsyde Avenue apartment and was unresponsive to his property manager who was trying to speak with him.
Family members at the time told EloraFergusToday he was suffering from a mental health crisis and alleged Bunyan was a victim of systemic police violence.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) ruled no charges would be laid against the Wellington OPP officer who fatally shot Bunyan.
After Bunyan had barricaded himself in a closet, he was pepper sprayed by police and came out with knives in his hand, according to the SIU report. Police then used conductive energy weapons before an officer fired four shots with a gun.
Bunyan was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family members have filed a $3.4 million lawsuit alleging Bunyan’s death was a result of an assault, battery, forcible confinement and negligence by OPP.
The inquest is expected to last 10 days and hear from 10 witnesses.
It will examine the circumstances surrounding his death and a jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.
The inquest will be conducted by video conference and members of the public who wish to watch the proceedings can do so with this link.
