Ottawa police told Abdirahman Abdi was mentally ill during violent arrest, inquest hears

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Multiple bystanders told Ottawa police that Abdirahman Abdi was mentally ill moments before a violent struggle ensued, according to details heard on the third day of an inquest into the man’s death.

Abdi, 38, died on July 25, 2016, one day after being beaten and arrested by Ottawa Police Service officers, who had responded to 911 calls about a man who was allegedly sexually assaulting women at a Hintonburg coffee shop.

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An inquest into his death is mandatory under the Coroners Act, to examine the circumstances surrounding his death, as he died in police custody.  A jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.

According to an agreed statement of facts, Const. David Weir was first to arrive at the coffee shop after multiple 911 calls concerning Abdi’s behaviour. Abdi complied with Weir’s instructions to put his hands against the wall of the building, and then behind his back, but started to run away when Weir took out handcuffs.

Weir chased Abdi back to his apartment, with Weir at one point pepper spraying Abdi in the eyes after Abdi attempted to lift a heavy wooden construction sign.

A resident who came out of the building heard Abdi say “Help me,” and she said to Weir, “Please don’t hit him, he’s mental man. He’s sick person — he’s crazy man, he’s not well.”

She repeated this three times, the inquest heard.

A second officer, Const. Daniel Montsion, then arrived, wearing gloves with hard plastic knuckle coverings. He hit Abdi several times in the head.

Additionally, from his eighth-floor balcony, one of Abdi’s brothers also yelled that Abdi was mentally ill “but the officers did not acknowledge him,” according to the agreed statement of facts.

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Another passerby heard Abdi yell for help and told officers he was mentally ill, but officers continued to beat him.

“Several people shouted at the officers to stop what they were doing and that Abdi was mentally ill,” the statement says.

The inquest watched a CCTV video of Abdi running up to the door of his apartment building. An officer catches up to him at the door, swings his baton several times and kicks Abdi. The second police officer arrives and they both kick and punch him, at one point kneeling on Abdi’s back to pin him to the ground.

Abdi kicks his legs as the officers arrest him, but he then lies motionless, lying facedown on the ground for several moments until an officer eventually rolls him into the recovery position, on his side.

The 12-minute and 46-second long video, which has no audio, shows a woman approaching the doorway, visibly distraught. Police don’t let her open the door and a large crowd gathers, with at least one bystander filming the interaction from inside the apartment lobby.

Eventually, paramedics arrive and perform CPR and chest compressions on Abdi.

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Const. Weir is expected to testify later Wednesday at the inquest, with Montsion expected to testify Thursday.

Ontario’s civilian police watchdog charged Montsion with manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon. Montsion was accused of using excessive force when he punched Abdi in the face, which prosecutors argued at trial contributed to Abdi’s death. He was acquitted of all charges.

More than 25 witnesses are expected to testify over the inquest, which began Monday and is expected to last for several weeks.

The public can watch the hearings live on this website.

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