Coroner’s Inquest Rules Rodney Levi’s Death A Homicide

The death of Rodney Levi of Metepenagiag First Nation has been ruled a homicide by a coroner’s inquest.

Levi was shot and killed by an RCMP officer in June 2020 when police responded to a call in Sunny Corner.

RCMP said officers were confronted by a man “armed with knives” who charged at them.

Police said a stun gun was used several times unsuccessfully before an officer discharged their firearm.

The inquest is a formal court proceeding that allows public presentation of all evidence relating to a death.

It does not make any finding of legal responsibility nor assign blame, but recommendations can be made aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances in the future.

Coroners and juries can classify a death as a homicide, suicide, accident, natural causes or cause undetermined.

“It’s important to understand the classification of ‘homicide’ in a Coroner’s inquest is defined as any case of a person dying by the actions of another,” said a news release.

“It does not imply culpability, which is not within the mandate of the coroner or the jury.”

The five-member jury, which heard from 27 witnesses, made several recommendations at the end of the inquest, including:

• Re-instate the Aboriginal Band Constable Program, and having RCMP make use of a designated Aboriginal community liaison until that happens.
• Implement mandatory First Nation cultural sensitivity awareness training at the RCMP Academy.
• Provide dedicated, uniformed liaison officers to each detachment that has a First Nation community in its jurisdiction.
• Provide mandatory scenario-based suicide intervention training to cadets.
• Expedite the deployment of body cameras to all officers nationwide.
• Implement mandatory conducted energy weapon (CEW) training at depot.
• Increase time in field training from six to twelve months.
• Increase mental health services and facilities for First Nations communities.
• RCMP should not be the first responder in situations involving mental wellness checks on First Nations, but be on standby for mobile crisis units or an Aboriginal liaison for the community.
• Mobile crisis units should be available 24 hours a day.

You can view the full list of recommendations online.