Winnipeg Police Service: Family Support and Resource Advocate Hired

December 1, 2021

In December 2020, Winnipeg Police Chief Danny Smyth informed the Winnipeg Police Board that the Service would be creating a position to assist families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Reclaiming Power and Place:  The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls also called on police agencies across Canada to ensure delivery of services to Indigenous communities that are culturally appropriate.

As part of our commitment to Indigenous people living in Manitoba, the Winnipeg Police Service has hired Angie Tuesday as a Family Support and Resource Advocate to support the families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Angie will work with families to answer questions, coordinate access to appropriate agencies, justice partners and services, and connect families to culturally-safe resources in the community that may assist them in their healing journey.

“Angie will play an important role within the Winnipeg Police Service,” said Chief Danny Smyth.  “She brings a broad range of experience in working with families in distress, and will help us shape our response in a critical area to support loved ones when they need it most.”

Angie will work alongside investigators in the Missing Persons, Counter Exploitation, Homicide, and Historical Homicide Units.

“So many Indigenous people fall victim to violence each year, she said. “Often, families are unsure what supports are available to them and it is very difficult to navigate the legal system, especially when we have experienced trauma.  In my new role, I will build upon my personal and professional experiences of supporting families of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls to create a culturally-safe and trauma-informed space for families to ask questions, address their concerns, and receive information about their loved one’s death or disappearance.”

Angie has been employed as a Victim Services Worker with Manitoba Justice Victim Services for the past nine years and has played a role supporting people who have experienced domestic violence and other types of violent crime.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to share some of the things that I have learned in supporting families over the years to help inform the work of the Winnipeg Police Service and build those relationships with the community.”

Angie will meet families in settings they find most comfortable to address their questions and concerns in a meaningful and supportive way.

Shooting – Investigation: C21-280184

On November 30, 2021, at approximately 6:00 p.m., the Winnipeg Police Service responded to the area of Dufferin Avenue and Parr Street for a male with a gunshot wound to his lower extremity. Police provided emergency medical care and applied a tourniquet to the adult victim. He was subsequently transported to hospital in unstable condition and later upgraded to stable condition.

Initial information provided to investigators was the victim in his fifties was walking over the bridge when two unknown males verbally confronted him. The victim proceeded to run away from the suspects when he heard gunshots and was ultimately struck.

No arrests have been made. The Major Crimes Unit is following up with this investigation.

Anyone with information to assist investigators is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Stabbing – Investigation: C21-280405

On November 30, 2021, at approximately 11:30 p.m., North District Patrol officers were flagged down for help by a bystander in the 600 block of Selkirk Avenue. Officers located an adult male on the ground who had been stabbed. They provided emergency medical care, and the victim was transported to hospital in unstable condition. He was later upgraded to stable condition.

While on scene, police learned there was a second injured victim at a nearby residence. Additional police units located another adult male in the 500 block of Pritchard Avenue who had been stabbed. He was transported to hospital in unstable condition and later upgraded to stable condition.

The initial investigation determined that the victims and two suspects were previously known to each other when a heated dispute occurred at one of the residences.

No arrests have been made. The Major Crimes Unit is following up with this investigation.

Anyone with information to assist investigators is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-TIPS (8477).

Aggravated Assault – Arrest: C21-262379

As previously released:

On November 8, 2021, at approximately 3:40 p.m., Winnipeg Police responded to a Motor Vehicle Collision involving a pedestrian on Ness Avenue near Harcourt Street. . Two male youths, both 16, were walking eastbound on the north sidewalk of Ness Avenue, near Sturgeon Heights Collegiate.

An unidentified suspect charged at the victims and pushed one of them into oncoming traffic. The victim was shoved into the path of an oncoming semi-truck that was westbound on Ness in the right curb lane. He made contact with the semi and was then projected toward a pickup truck that was also westbound on Ness. Both drivers saw the attack and took evasive action, slowing down to significantly lessen potential injuries.

The victim was transported to hospital in critical condition but later upgraded to stable after treatment. Many people were in the area during the time of occurrence. Investigators are asking that anyone who witnessed the incident or has information that may be relevant contact the Winnipeg Police Major Crimes Unit at 204-986-6219.

Update:

Members of the Major Crimes Unit continued to investigate and received an abundance of helpful information from the public, which assisted in identifying a suspect in these assaults.

The Winnipeg Police Service would like to thank the public for their assistance during this investigation.

On November 30, 2021, the Major Crimes Unit charged a 16-year-old male with assault-related offences. He was released on an Undertaking (as mandated per the Criminal Code).

Constable Rob Carver, Public Information Officer
Constable Jay Murray, Public Information Officer
Constable Dani McKinnon, Public Information Officer

Kelly Dehn, Manager of Public Affairs

Office: 204-986-3061
E-mail: WPS-PIO@winnipeg.ca

NT5