Winnipeg police investigate cancelled weekend distress call that preceded homicide

Police in Winnipeg have launched an internal investigation after a late-night 911 call from a nightclub was cancelled shortly before a man was fatally shot and the results could paint an ugly picture about the pressure placed on urban police forces at closing time.

Chief Devon Clunis announced his intentions to investigate the lapsed distress call this week, confirming it had been cancelled internally. The incident occurred in the early hours of May 4, just moments before Rustom Vito Paclipan was fatally shot outside the Opera Ultralounge.

"This event is currently being investigated, as you know, by our homicide unit. But I've taken the additional steps of ordering an internal investigation to examine the circumstances surrounding the first call of service," Clunis told a news conference.

Here is the timeline that has been offered by Winnipeg police:

• 1:39 a.m.: staff at the nightclub called police about a fight outside the bar. They were concerned the situation may get worse.

• 1:42 a.m.: a "call for service" was entered into the system

• 1:59 a.m.: the request was cancelled from within the 911 communication centre.

• 2:03 a.m.: another 911 call was logged, this time reporting gunfire.

• 2:06 a.m.: police arrived at the scene.

Police later confirmed that Paclipan, a 23-year-old male, died of his injuries. Two other men, aged 18 and 24, were injured.

Several staff members of the communication centre have been placed on leave during the investigation, which is expected to delve into why the 911 call was cancelled and whether it had any bearing on the fatal shooting reported later that night.

While Clunis would not discuss possible reasons why a 911 call might be internally cancelled, there has been some question about the timing. The call for assistance was cleared from the queue just one minute before bars across Winnipeg closed for the night.

James Jewell, a retired homicide investigator who now runs the blog The Police Insider, wrote on the investigation, pointing out the timing of the cancelled call.

Bar owner Jack Moslehi also hinted in an interview with CBC News that overworked response crews could have played a factor.

"I’ve called out to the police numerous times for numerous things and they’ve been very on point; excellent guys, great guys, been here as quick as they can," he told the network. "I also understand that it’s the weekend and I know that they’re busy on weekends, that’s just how it is — it’s just sad that things went down the way they did.”

The moment immediately before and after bars close on a Saturday night may be the busiest time for urban police forces. It is a point frequently raised by those in favour of making closing times later, or staggering closing times so patrons of every bar and nightclub in town don't stream into the streets at the same time.

During Olympic hockey games in February, Alberta bars were given the right to extend bar hours and patrons were lauded for keeping the peace. The matter prompted some debate as to whether bar hours should be permanently expanded, echoing a previous concept that had been supported by Calgary police.

A pilot project to extend drinking hours in downtown Montreal over the summer also has police support because, again, there is hope the staggered hours will result in fewer late-night incidents.

The same arguments have been made elsewhere, including Fredericton, N.B., and Toronto.

While it is too soon to speculate what led to the cancelled distress call – indeed, that will be the main focus of the investigation – the timing is worth noting. And if that is determined to be a factor in the Winnipeg case, perhaps it’s worth considering ways to alleviate some of the strain police forces face on a Saturday night.

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