Province announces inquest into death of Fergus man killed by police

FERGUS – The province has announced an inquest will be held into the death of a Fergus man killed by police almost three years ago. 

A news release from the province stated Dr. Karen Schiff — regional supervising coroner, west region, Hamilton office — announced an inquest will be held into the death of Mathias Bunyan. 

Bunyan was 31 years old when he was shot and killed by police in his Fergus apartment on Aug. 15. 

Family members at the time told EloraFergusToday Bunyan was suffering from a mental health crisis when he was killed by police at his apartment on Belsyde Avenue and they allege he was a victim of systemic police violence. 

“This is one inquest in a series of inquests dealing with the issue of whether police are well equipped to respond to people experiencing mental distress,” said Akosua Matthews, legal counsel for Bunyan’s family including his mother and three sisters. “Unfortunately, these cases often end in tragedy.” 

A Special Investigations Unit (SIU) investigation concluded no charges would be laid against the Wellington OPP officer who fatally shot Bunyan. 

The SIU report said police responded to the apartment after receiving a call about a domestic disturbance and possible mental health issues as a man was heard screaming and yelling inside a unit and unresponsive to a property manager who was trying to speak with him. 

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. The SIU report said police then used conductive energy weapons before an officer used his gun and fired four shots. 

Bunyan was pronounced dead at the scene.

Matthews said the big question in this case is why did police use successive rounds of pepper spray, tasers and ultimately bullets when an emergency response team — in this case the OPP’s IMPACT team — had been called in. 

“What I think is unique in this case is there was the ability to call a rapid response team, and they were on their way, but they didn’t make it there in time,” Matthews said. “The question will be, why the rush and why not have people who are better suited to responding to people experiencing mental crisis?”

An inquest into his death is mandatory under the Coroners Act with the inquest examining the circumstances around Bunyan’s death. The release said the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths. 

Details regarding the inquest, including the date and venue, will be provided at a later date but Matthews said two weeks have been tentatively scheduled for it.