A police officer who was just starting his career in Toronto was charged Friday for allegedly shooting a black man for no reason in a North York park in February.
According to Globe and Mail, Officer Andrew Davis faces one count of aggravated assault and one count of discharging a firearm with intent to injure, injure, harm or endanger life. The victim is Devon Fowlin, a 31-year-old black man.
On February 27, around 8 a.m., Toronto police were called to the area of ​​Black Creek Driver and Tretheway Drive for a man allegedly threatening with a knife. Two policemen also used an electric pulse gun during the operation.
The victim was hit in the arm. This means that he suffers from a disability. Devon Fowlin believes this injury will greatly complicate his chances of finding work. A crowdfunding campaign through the GoFundMe platform has also been launched to help him.
In a press conference last March, the victim disputed the police’s theory that the 31-year-old man was threatening.
The first person told reporters that he was walking his dog at the time, alone, in a park. Devon Fowlin has a knife that he says he uses for cooking and praying. He maintained that he did not threaten anyone. He mentioned that the police shot him almost immediately.
Unanswered questions
Devon Fowlin’s lawyer, Me David Shellnutt, welcomed one of the rare cases brought against a police officer.
“We’re happy with the way the process is going and we’re happy there are cases,” he said. However, we know what is the justification of these accusations and why the case of attempted murder was not filed?
“The real question we’re asking ourselves is why did it escalate so quickly,” he added. What is the threat to the public, or to these officials, that causes them not to talk, discuss, or other opportunities to reduce? ”
For his part, Toronto Police Service spokesman Victor Kwong indicated in an email that Officer Andrew Davis was suspended with pay and work for a year at the time of the events.
Toronto Police Association president Jon Reid said in a statement that “This is an unfortunate incident for all involved. We know this has been and will continue to be a difficult time for Officer Davis , his family and his colleagues.
