Police shooting of Newfoundland man could have been avoided: oversight report
ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — A deadly confrontation between a troubled Newfoundland man and the police officer who gunned him down at home could have been avoided, says a report released Monday.
Retired judge David Riche, named by the Mounties to oversee their investigation of the killing on RCMP turf, also raises questions about a rifle found in the home of Don Dunphy and whether he fired more shots than needed.
“The shots to the head were not necessary to render him incapable of causing any harm,” says his 23-page report released by a public inquiry into the shooting on Easter Sunday 2015.
“Why (Const. Joe) Smyth continued firing, especially the last shot which was very close to Dunphy’s head and Dunphy was not moving, makes me wonder why this was done.