Use of force officers testify at coroner’s inquest looking into death of Sarnia man shot by police

The inquest heard about the dangers of a ‘rear-naked chokehold’ and why lethal force may have been used. CTV London’s Nick Paparella reports.

For the second day, a coroner’s inquest heard that after Justin Bourassa, 29, of Sarnia, was stopped by police officers in downtown London, Ont. in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2021, there was a physical altercation.

As they were trying to arrest and search him, Bourassa put Const. Ryan Hendrick in a chokehold.

London Police Sgt. Kevin Easton, who is with the Practical Skills Unit, teaches officers in the area of use of force.

He testified, “If you’re in a rear naked chokehold the level of dominance the person has that’s behind you is so great.”

He added, “Once the arm is wrapped around the neck ... it’s the worst position for you to be in.”

To stop the chokehold, Bourassa, a former tennis instructor who dealt with mental health issues, would end up being shot in the neck and chest by Hendrick’s partner Const. Joshua Ryan.

The constables had initially mistaken Bourassa as a suspect in a break and enter investigation in the Richmond Row area that night.

Days later, three males gave themselves up to police, telling them that they had been in the area that night with tools and a ladder stealing streets signs and not breaking into homes.

Once Hendrick was placed in a chokehold, Easton was asked why officers wouldn’t have shot Bourassa in the leg or arm to diffuse or de-escalate the situation.

He said during an imminent threat, officers are trained, “Our target would be centre mass ... being able to shoot someone’s extremities would be very difficult.”

On Wednesday, the inquest is expected to hear from Hendrick.

The province’s Special Investigations Unit cleared the officers involved of any wrongdoing.

The jury is expected to make recommendations to prevent future similar incidents once all of the evidence in completed.