The brother of the late Stacy DeBungee, testified on Day Three of the death investigation hearing.
Brad DeBungee was asked about a pair of meetings he had with the Thunder Bay Police Service, including the initial one just days after learning of his brother’s death.
DeBungee told the tribunal Wednesday that he took the October 21, 2015, meeting at police headquarters on Balmoral Street because he and the family wanted to know more information to how Stacy ended up in the McIntyre River.
The 41-year-old from Riny Anishinaabe man was found close to the intersection of Waterford and Carrick Streets.
DeBungee said he, along with his Aunt Mary and Cousin Karen, were given vague answers by the three officers, which included Staff Sargeant Shawn Harrison, and was told, “don’t call us, we’ll call you if there is new information.”
He told the tribunal about a trip to the scene afterwards, in which he and other members of his family were met by an unmarked vehicle that included Harrison.
Harrison showed the individuals where the body was found.
DeBungee testified that he wanted to know more information about his brother’s death and even looked at legal help or a second opinion from a coroner as to the cause of death.
This eventually led him to file a Freedom of Information (FOI) request in November 2015, which was denied due to the ongoing investigation.
DeBungee reached out to Rainy River First Nation Chief Jim Leonard for help in getting answers to Stacy’s death.
That led to an official complaint filed against the Thunder Bay Police Service with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director on March 18, 2016, alleging a pattern of the police service jumping to conclusions when it comes to the deaths of Indigenous people.
Staff Sargeant Shawn Harrison pled guilty to failing to perform duties according to the Police Services Act based on the agreed statement of facts.
Harrison entered a not guilty plea on the second charge of failing to treat or protect people equally during the case.
Detective Constable Shawn Whipple pled not guilty to both offences.
The Ontario Provincial Police has launched its own investigation into the death after a request from the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General.
DeBungees’ passing was singled out in a 2018 Broken Trust report with claims of how cases involving Indigenous people are handled by police.
The Livestream will resume at 10:00 a.m. Thursday.
