Title: Inquiry Sought into Death of N.S. Man After Police Encounter

HALIFAX – A mental health advocacy group is urging for a fatality inquiry into the death of a 25-year-old man following a confrontation with Halifax police earlier this year. The East Coast Prison Justice Society highlights a report from Nova Scotia’s police oversight agency, which indicates that police were informed the man was experiencing a psychotic episode when they arrived at his condominium on February 22.

According to the Serious Incident Response Team's report, officers found the man throwing objects and unable to communicate effectively. This prompted them to attempt an arrest. During the struggle, an officer deployed a stun gun to subdue him, and he was subsequently handcuffed on both his wrists and ankles.

While waiting for paramedics, the man began to vomit and subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest, leading to his death at the scene. Notably, this incident marked the fourth time in three days that police had been called to the man’s residence. Each time, his mother informed the officers that he was in the midst of a mental health crisis.

The advocacy group asserts that the province's policing and health-care systems failed the man and his family on multiple occasions. They are calling for a thorough investigation to address these systemic issues and prevent similar tragedies in the future.