A London police officer was protecting the life of their partner during the fatal shooting of a Sarnia man over a year ago, according to an internal report.
Justin Bourassa, 29, was shot and killed following a struggle with police in an alley off Richmond Street October 28, 2021. Police were responding to a break and enter when they came across Bourassa at around 3:45 a.m.
The report, conducted by Insp. Sean Travis with the Professional Standards Branch, said the officers’ attention was drawn to a man they believed to have been involved in the break-in.
“The interaction rapidly escalated resulting in the Subject Official discharging their firearm to protect the life of their partner,” the report said. “The firearm discharge resulted in the death of the male which invoked the mandate of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU).”
In June, the SIU cleared the police officers of any wrongdoing in the shooting.
Travis’ report said all members involved with this SIU investigation have adhered to LPS procedures by cooperating fully with the investigation.
“This report is for information purposes only and the matter is now closed,” the report said.
The report will be presented to the police services board on Monday.
