❯ MEDIA ANALYSIS
Activists in Canada’s largest media reported on June 4 that New Brunswick police shot and killed a woman during a “wellness check.”
Their coverage showed bias and omissions in the presentation of facts.
They leave out until several paragraphs into the story that police said they were acting in self-defence in response to a knife attack.
I don’t know what happened, who to believe, or how the different parties experienced what happened. Investigators and possibly the courts will decide if the use of deadly force was legitimate.
I like that the media activists are looking for answers and accountability.
We do know that the activists are picking sides to spin the story their way.
(It perfectly fits the anti-police angle of the current protests against the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.)
The Edmundston police are also spinning the story their way.
Indigenous Woman Killed by Edmundston, N.B., Police During Wellness Check
Indigenous Woman Killed by N.B. Police During Wellness Check (Video)
Police in Edmundston, N.B., Fatally Shoot Indigenous Woman During a Wellness Check
B.C. Woman Shot and Killed by Police During Wellness Check in Edmundston, N.B.
Indigenous Woman From B.C. Dead After Police Shooting in Edmundston, N.B.
Plenty of clues show unusual circumstances around the death of the attacker, Chantel Moore.
For media, those are giant red flags to proceed cautiously.
Police Kill Woman to Stop Knife Attack
Woman Attacks Police With Knife, Gets Killed
Woman Gets Killed After Threatening Police With Knife
26-year-old Woman Deceased Following Incident in Edmundston
Published on 04 June 2020
26-year-old woman from British Columbia has died following an incident in Edmundston.
On June 4, 2020, around 2:30 a.m., the Edmundston Police Force received a request to check on the well-being of a woman at an apartment building on Hill Street in Edmundston.
The responding police officer was confronted at the scene by a woman holding a knife who made threats. The officer discharged a firearm. Resuscitation efforts were made, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the investigation is continuing.
The Edmundston Police Force has requested the services of an independent agency to conduct a review of the incident to ensure police actions were appropriate and conform to policing standards.
As a matter of accountability and transparency for the independent review, the New Brunswick RCMP is providing investigative and forensic support.
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CONTACT: Insp. Steve Robinson, Edmundston Police Force, 506.739.2100, steve.robinson@edmundston.ca -30-
Source: Edmundson Police, Statement, 04 June 2020
CBC: Coroner’s inquest to be held into fatal police shooting of Chantel Moore
Compare the lead:
CBC News, July 02: “The unnamed officer who shot and killed Chantel Moore while performing a wellness check is back from paid leave but is only performing administrative tasks, the Edmundston Police Force confirmed Thursday.”
Alternate: “The police officer who shot an attacker who threatened him with a knife is back from paid leave and performing administrative tasks, the Edmundston Police Force confirmed Thursday.”