The family of an Ottawa man who was shocked with a stun gun, beaten and arrested by police — and then later released in a case of what the force called "mistaken identity" — has hired a lawyer to explore reaching a possible resolution with the city.Kane Niyondagara was chased by police in Orléans last month in a case of mistaken identity. His family has now hired a lawyer in the hopes of reaching some sort of resolution.
Officers chased him, then shocked him with a stun gun before pinning him to the ground, punching and kicking him near his home in Orléans. "Our willingness to participate in discussions is contingent upon the Ottawa police demonstrating a genuine commitment to addressing systemic issues and enacting meaningful reforms."
Police said they had received multiple reports from different callers over the previous week that a homicide suspect had been seen at that location. When another report came in that morning, it "prompted a swift police response," the statement said.Their decision to chase him after he fled was based on "standard protocols for ensuring public safety when a potentially dangerous suspect is believed to be at large," said police.
"The initial suspicion was based on a misidentification by the community member, not by the police," the statement from OPS said.