First Nation also demanding thorough and transparent investigation into Calgary police officers’ conduct
“We are determined to pursue every path toward the administration of accountability in respect of this incident,” a written statement from Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox read.
The report described Wells, who was unarmed, acting in a confused fashion. When an officer pointed a stun gun at him, ordering him to leave the hotel, he raised his hands, telling the officer he “didn’t want to die.”
A physical altercation ensued when an officer tried to grab the man, after which Wells was tackled, punched and struck by stun guns. At one point, after he vomited, a “spit mask” was applied while he was lying face down on the floor.
Wells was then left face down in handcuffs and leg restraints for seven minutes before EMS arrived and gave him a sedative. Three minutes later, he was found to be unresponsive and later declared dead.
“At no point during the interaction had the male been identified, nor was he ever told he was being detained or under arrest,” ASIRT said in a statement this week.
“Our hearts are with Mr. Wells’ family, as well as his Fox family, as they navigate this unimaginable grief,” Fox wrote.
He said the incident is reminiscent of when the tribe spoke out against several unexplained deaths and “unsolved tragedies,” which was met by inaction from law enforcement authorities.
“That inquiry underscored the cultural gap between our people and the police, highlighting the urgent need for understanding and respect,” Fox wrote.
“Today, it is disheartening to find ourselves addressing these issues once again.”
A local lawyers’ association is demanding more transparency.
If the ASIRT investigation reveals that an offence was committed, the Calgary Defence Lawyers’ Association has demanded the minister and the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service to commit to several measures — including the appointment of an outside special prosecutor to determine whether charges will be laid.
“A determination that should be made independently and transparently, against the same standard that would apply to any other Albertan,” the association’s members wrote in a statement posted on X.
They also asked ASIRT to include a statement in their investigation outlining how racial stereotypes consciously and subconsciously affect the judgment of police officers.
“A decision need not be motivated solely or even mainly by race or racial stereotypes to be based on race or racial stereotypes,” the statement read. “It may be the product of overt, subconscious or institutional racial bias, meaning individual officers may engage in racial profiling without being aware they are doing so.
“The disturbing nature of the details shared yesterday heightens the public interest in fully understanding how a non-emergency call for assistance went so horrifically wrong,” the members wrote.
Members of other Indigenous communities have called for the involvement of representatives of the Blood Tribe in the ASIRT investigation.
ASIRT has told the media the organization has kept contact with Wells’ family and will inquire if they would prefer an Indigenous elder chosen by them to be involved in the investigation.
ASIRT didn’t immediately respond to a Postmedia request for comment on Friday.