Statement by Jeremy Stephens’ mother on SiRT investigation

The following is a statement released by Jeremy Stephens’ mother Gilda Stephens on the findings of a SiRT investigation into her son’s death.

My son, Jeremy Stephens died on May 27th, 2018 from eight gunshot wounds inflicted by two police officers employed by the Summerside Police Department on Prince Edward Island.

Since Jeremy’s death, I have asked many questions that should have clear answers. My family and I have been patiently waiting for the release of the investigation report of the Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) into the circumstances that surrounded Jeremy’s death, and today SIRT publicly released its brief 8-page report with its findings.

I am now in the process of reviewing the SIRT report with my lawyer. I have also instructed my lawyer to retain the services of Ian Scott, former Director of the Special Investigations Unit in Ontario, and Dr. Christopher Milroy, an internationally recognized forensic pathologist, to help us make sense of the medical evidence and “use of force” analysis and, in particular, the suggestion today by SIRT that the use of lethal force against Jeremy was reasonable.

To say that I am surprised and disappointed by the SIRT report is an understatement. I remain dismayed and concerned by:

1. (a) the confusing and often contradictory information that has been provided by various sources regarding the circumstances that surrounded Jeremy’s death;
2. (b) the troubling fact that the Summerside Police Force appears to have executed search warrants at the scene following Jeremy’s death, and thereafter remained involved in the criminal prosecution of individuals who witnessed some of the relevant events;
3. (c) the deeply troubling information received by my family today that, in fact, the subject officers who shot Jeremy did have tasers in their possession at the time of the shooting and chose not to use them.

Today, I have more questions than ever before and now, more than ever, I believe that an inquest must be held into Jeremy’s death to establish what actually happened to him through the cross-examination of witnesses under oath. I believe that this is extremely important to ensure that a death like Jeremy’s at the hands of police does not happen to someone else. I was told that the decision about whether or not to hold an inquest would not be made until after the SIRT investigation was complete. I hope that this decision will now be forthcoming.