Dwight Ball supports public inquiry into Don Dunphy's death
A public inquiry into the shooting death of Don Dunphy should be done, but only after the police finish their own investigation, says Liberal Leader Dwight Ball.
"I believe there would be and should be a public inquiry into what happened on Easter Sunday with Mr. Dunphy," Ball told CBC News.
Ball's stance on an inquiry goes further than Liberal justice critic Andrew Parsons, who last week said it was too early to call for an inquiry.
"The family and the general public want their questions answered," Parsons told CBC News. "Certainly so do I and an inquiry may be the way to do that."
Inquiry should wait for police investigation
Dunphy, 59, was shot by a member of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, who went to his home in Mitchells Brook on April 5 to follow up on a perceived threat made on Twitter.
The RCMP's initial report said Dunphy aimed a long-barrel firearm at the officer before the fatal shooting.
Ball said it's premature to begin the inquiry before the police investigation is finished.
"The first step we needed [was] to give the family some time. Secondly, we needed to make sure the investigation is completed," Ball said.
The RCMP are investigating Dunphy's death, with retired Justice David Riche acting as an independent observer on the case.
The officer involved in the shooting, who is a member of Premier Paul Davis's security detail, wrote in an email addressed to coworkers that he did not regret the shooting but wished earlier intervention was possible.
Ball noted that he would have preferred an outside group to investigate the RNC officer and the shooting.
Meanwhile, Minister of Justice and Public Safety Darin King has said no decision will be made on whether or not an inquiry will be called until the police investigation is concluded.
