Woman regrets making 911 call

A North Bay woman regrets calling 911 after a 43-year-old man died early Thursday after being Tasered by a North Bay police officer.

"In a way, I regret calling police because this man lost his life and that’s certainly not what I wanted at all," said Kelly, whose name has been withheld to protect her sister’s identity.

North Bay police confirmed Thursday officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a city residence at 5:04 a.m.

Shortly after their arrival, police said, officers attempted to arrest a man and a conducted energy weapon (Taser) was deployed.

"An ambulance was requested as the man was observed to be in medical distress. He was taken to the North Bay Regional Health Centre where he was pronounced deceased."

The province’s Special Investigations Unit confirmed late Thursday it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death.

"Preliminary information," the SIU said, "suggests at approximately 5 a.m. officers with the North Bay Police Service responded to a residence in relation to a domestic dispute.

"Upon arrival, officers became involved in an interaction with a man.

As a result of the man going into medical distress, he was transported by ambulance to hospital.

"At 6:21 a.m., the man was pronounced dead.

The SIU said four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.

"At this time, one subject officer and seven witness officers have been designated."

Kelly said she made the call because she feared for her sister’s safety.

"I live next door in the adjoining townhouse to my sister," she said.

"Our bedrooms are right beside one another."

Kelly said she heard noise coming from her sister’s unit and was aware her sister’s boyfriend was staying overnight.

"They were known to get into fights," she said. "So instead of going over to try to help, I called police. I also sent a text to my nephew who is living downstairs in my sister’s townhouse."

Kelly said police arrived and went upstairs to her sister’s bedroom.

"It was calm for a little while and then I heard banging again. My sister said Dale (her boyfriend) was freaking out. As I looked out the window, I saw the ambulance pull up," she said.

"I then heard police tell the paramedics to hurry up because he was turning purple."

Kelly said she and her sister were then brought to the police station.

"My sister is very upset. I have been with her all morning."

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The unit also is urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the director of the SIU must:

– consider whether an officer has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation;

– depending on the evidence, lay a criminal charge against the officer if appropriate or close the file without any charges being laid; and

– report the results of any investigations to the attorney general.

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