Quebec police watchdog investigating after child’s death in Inukjuak

The village of Inukjuak is seen on the shore of Hudson Bay Thursday, May 12, 2022 in Inukjuak, Quebec. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

One person injured in a Dec. 20 shooting involving the Nunavik Police Service in Inukjuak has died, according to Quebec’s police watchdog (BEI).

The Kativik Regional Government confirmed a 30-year-old man and a six-year-old girl were severely injured in a statement issued Dec. 22.

At the time, authorities said the girl was sent to the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

The BEI did not confirm which of the two died in a news release sent out Tuesday, citing the ongoing investigation.

Maggie Emudluk, Chairperson of the Kativik Regional Government, put out a statement Thursday saying the child had died.

“I am deeply saddened to hear the passing of the little girl. She is an innocent victim of such a sad tragedy,” Emudluk said.

“We need to address together, as Nunavimmiut, the current state of our social realities and preventable tragedies like this within our communities.”

The independent bureau previously reported that a call was made regarding a person endangering occupants of a home. Officers arrived around 3:30 a.m. and “encountered a person with a firearm” outside, according to a Dec. 21 news release.

The BEI said gunfire was exchanged between police and the individual who was injured and arrested. Another person was found injured inside the residence.

Both were transported to hospital, where the person arrested was in stable condition “while the condition of the individual who was inside the residence [was] critical.”

It is unclear how the young girl sustained her injuries.

The man will face charges, including illegally possessing a firearm.

Five BEI investigators were assigned to the case. The Quebec coroner’s office will also investigate the death.

With files from The Canadian Press