Nearly a year after an international student was shot and killed by Winnipeg police, his family members are still looking for closure and wondering how much longer they’ll have to wait for the the full details of what happened.
On December 31st, 2023, 19-year-old Afolabi Opaso died of his injuries after police were called to an apartment near the University of Manitoba for a well-being check. Police say he was armed when they arrived, and during the encounter an officer shot him.
“The investigation into Afolabi’s death has dragged on for too long and we are still left with no more questions than answers,” says Yemisi Opaso, Afolabi’s sister.
Opaso’s death inspired protests in Winnipeg, demanding police accountability. The Independent Investigation Unit took over the case, but later passed it to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team to avoid a potential conflict of interest.
In March, the family was told an autopsy report would be released to them, but they still have not received it. They require that report to take the case to court for potential financial remediation for expenses such as Opaso’s funeral, and flights from the United States and Nigeria for family members to attend.
With the year closing out, one of the family’s lawyers says frustration is mounting.
“So far nobody is being blamed. Our systems are not being checked out,” says Benjamin Nkana Bassi. “So we don’t know where we have flaws. We don’t know where to improve. So if we leave that for years, we have the same society.”