Quebec's police watchdog investigating after Black man fatally shot by police in Repentigny

Police in Repentigny responded to a 911 call Sunday morning for a disoriented man reportedly armed with a knife. (Mathieu Wagner/Radio-Canada - image credit)
Police in Repentigny responded to a 911 call Sunday morning for a disoriented man reportedly armed with a knife. (Mathieu Wagner/Radio-Canada - image credit)

Quebec's police watchdog is investigating after officers in Repentigny shot and killed a Black man who they say was threatening them with a knife Sunday morning.

According to Quebec's Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI), police responded to a 911 call shortly after 7:30 a.m. for a "confused and disoriented" person reportedly armed with a knife in a residential area.

When officers arrived on scene, they say they found a 38-year-old Black man outside with another individual, according to the BEI.

"The police allegedly tried to reason with the subject who fled on foot," a BEI report says. "The subject allegedly had a knife in his possession and was threatening to the police."

The report continues, saying police used pepper spray to attempt to subdue the man without success. Shortly after, police fired several shots at the man, killing him.

The BEI is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them on their website.