Ottawa police are facing increased scrutiny following the release of internal reports detailing a violent case of mistaken identity involving Kane Niyondagara, a young Black man who was wrongly identified as a murder suspect in February.

On the morning of February 16, officers responded to a call from a Starbucks employee who had misidentified Niyondagara as Gibriil Bakal, a suspect wanted for a murder in Little Italy. The caller’s description of the suspect—a Black male in his late 20s or early 30s, wearing a hoodie, sweatpants, and a plaid jacket—matched Niyondagara’s appearance. Acting on this erroneous information, officers confronted Niyondagara as he left the Starbucks.

Unaware of the reason behind the police action and confused by the aggressive approach, Niyondagara did not immediately comply with the officers’ commands. Constable Sarah Armstrong drew her taser, reporting that Niyondagara appeared to be resisting. Constable Darren Cousineau, fearing the suspect might be armed, drew his firearm. Despite repeated commands to stop, Niyondagara fled eastbound along Innes Road.

The pursuit became more intense when Constable Luc Durocher, attempting to intercept Niyondagara with his police cruiser, crashed into a billboard due to icy conditions. Durocher eventually caught up with Niyondagara on Prestwick Drive, where he attempted to arrest him at gunpoint. Despite the frightening circumstances, Niyondagara continued to run. Constable Marenda McCucheon used her taser, but it did not seem to affect him.

Officers eventually tackled Niyondagara and used significant force to restrain him. Constable Martin Corbeil, who had lost his hat and glasses during the struggle, struck Niyondagara in the face and delivered several knee strikes. Other officers, including McCucheon and Cousineau, also used force. Niyondagara, who later said he was simply waiting to be handcuffed, was subjected to excessive violence despite not actively resisting.

The internal reports align with Niyondagara’s account and eyewitness statements, suggesting that he was terrified and confused rather than actively resisting. The use of a stun gun and physical strikes was deemed excessive once the officers realized their mistake. Niyondagara was eventually correctly identified and released.

The incident has sparked outrage among the Black community and advocates against police brutality. Niyondagara’s mother condemned the police actions, drawing a parallel to the violence experienced by their community in Burundi. Critics have highlighted systemic issues in police practices, particularly the disproportionate use of force against Black individuals. Ottawa Police Service data reveals that Black people, who represent 26% of those subjected to police force, are significantly overrepresented compared to their 8% share of the city’s population.

This case has intensified calls for reform and accountability within law enforcement, highlighting ongoing concerns about racial profiling and the use of excessive force by police. The detailed internal reports underscore the troubling pattern of aggressive behavior and mistaken identity, fueling further debate on necessary changes in policing practices.