A coroner's inquest jury ruled the shooting death of Sarnia tennis professional Justin Bourassa a homicide on Wednesday [1], [2].
The findings highlight critical gaps in police use-of-force protocols and mental health support for officers. The jury's recommendations seek to prevent similar fatal encounters through systemic changes to training and officer evaluation.
Following a week-long inquest [2], the jury returned 10 recommendations [1]. These measures include a call for increased de-escalation training, and the implementation of mandatory psychological assessments for officers involved in incidents resulting in death or serious injury [1], [3].
During the proceedings, Const. Ryan Hendrick testified about the confrontation that led to the shooting. "I thought I was going to die," Hendrick said [4].
Expert testimony further detailed the dangers of specific physical restraints. A police use-of-force expert said, "Being in a rear-naked chokehold is the worst position for a police officer to find themselves" [3].
The jury emphasized the need for mental health oversight. One specific recommendation stated that all police officers involved in use-of-force incidents that result in death or serious injury should undergo a mandatory psychological assessment [3].
The inquest focused on the events in London, Ontario, where Bourassa was shot and killed by police during a confrontation [1], [5]. The resulting recommendations aim to refine how the London police service handles high-stress interactions to reduce the likelihood of lethal outcomes [1], [5].
“"I thought I was going to die."”
The ruling of 'homicide' in a coroner's inquest is a finding of fact regarding the cause of death, not a criminal conviction. By pairing this ruling with specific recommendations for psychological assessments and de-escalation training, the jury is signaling that the fatal outcome was preventable through better institutional support and tactical training rather than solely the result of an unavoidable crisis.
