IIU again seeking witnesses after man died in custody

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This article was published 03/11/2023 (675 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Investigators are again asking anyone who might have seen the arrest of a man who died in police custody to contact them.

Elias Whitehead, 37, went into medical distress while being arrested at Broadway and Sherbrook Street on Oct. 15 and later died at Health Sciences Centre.

Whitehead’s loved ones have questioned the police’s conduct in the incident, while Winnipeg Police Service Chief Danny Smyth has said Whitehead acted aggressively during the arrest.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba, a civilian police watchdog, investigates all cases where a person dies in police custody. On Friday, it asked anyone who had seen the arrest to contact them.

The IIU is asking anyone who might “have observed the incident, passing by on foot, bike or vehicle,” or who might have any information that might help in their investigation, to call 1-844-667-6060.

A one-minute video taken by a witness shows part of the arrest. Officers in the video struggle to restraint a man lying face-down and are shown punching and kneeing him. The camera is then blocked by police cars.

The IIU said Whitehead was treated on scene by Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service members.

Whitehead’s partner, Jody Beardy, made a tearful plea for witnesses to contact the IIU during a news conference Thursday.

“There are more witnesses out there that were there, and I want to put a call out for them to come forward so we can get justice for Elias because he deserves that,” she said.

Beardy said she believes some witnesses might not have yet spoken to investigators, based on posts she has come across on social media.

“People have stated that they were there,” she said. “There’s more stuff. That’s why I’m putting the call out for those witnesses to come forward, so we can get the truth.”