Regis Korchinski-Paquet
Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a 29-year-old Black and Indigenous woman, fell to her death from her 24th-floor apartment balcony while police were in her home in Toronto (Canada).
On May 27, 2020, Korchinski-Paquet’s mother called the police and said her daughter was suffering a mental episode and that she wanted officers to take her to a mental health facility. The call was made after Korchinski-Paquet and her brother were engaged in a fight. When police arrived at the apartment, Korchinski-Paquet told officers she needed to use the bathroom and was followed into the apartment by multiple officers, who would not allow entry by other family members.
Korchinski-Paquet proceeded to walk out onto the 24th-floor balcony and prevented officers from joining her by holding the door closed. She began to scale the balcony in an attempt to cross to the adjacent balcony, which was blocked off by netting. She lost her balance on the railing and fell to her death. On August 26, 2020, Special Investigations Unit (SIU) cleared the officers at her apartment that night.
In May 2021, Korchinski-Paquet’s family said they were “disgusted” with the SIU report and filled a complaint with Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD).
MASS MEDIA ABOUT THE CASE:
“We recognize that there is something has gone horribly wrong on May 27, 2020. As counsel for the family, we are looking for those answers. We have come forward and we have asked the SIU to reopen their case. They have said no,” lawyer for the family of Regis Korchinski-Paquet said.
“They pushed her in the hallway in her chest. That’s assault right there. And you are telling me, that when she got into the apartment and you kicked everyone out of the apartment, you didn’t have hands on her? ” Korchinski-Paquet’s father said.
CASE STATUS:
The initiative group has requested the clarification from Attorney General of Canada David T. Lametti and Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. The initiative group believes it is important to fight against police brutality and, if necessary, will provide legal and financial assistance to the family of the victim.