Family Demands Accountability: Latjor Tuel's Relatives Launch Lawsuit Against Calgary Police After Fatal Shooting

The quest for justice has taken a significant turn for the family of Latjor Tuel, the man tragically shot and killed by Calgary police in February 2022. Over two years after the devastating incident, Tuel's family has filed a comprehensive lawsuit against the Calgary Police Service (CPS) and several of its officers, alleging negligence, excessive force, and wrongful death in the confrontation that claimed his life.

The lawsuit plunges into the heart of the contentious encounter, asserting that police acted recklessly and failed to adequately de-escalate a situation involving a vulnerable individual known to be experiencing a mental health crisis.

On that fateful day, February 19, 2022, officers responded to reports of a man, identified as Latjor Tuel, in downtown Calgary armed with a stick and a knife. The family's legal challenge posits that despite their knowledge of Tuel's mental health struggles, the responding officers chose a path of confrontation rather than employing non-lethal alternatives or de-escalation tactics that could have saved his life.

According to the statement of claim, Tuel's mental state was deteriorating, a fact that should have guided police actions towards a more cautious and compassionate approach.

Instead, the family alleges, the situation was unnecessarily escalated, culminating in the fatal shooting. This legal action not only seeks to hold individual officers accountable but also aims to shed light on systemic issues within the CPS regarding their training, protocols, and response strategies when dealing with individuals in mental health distress.

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been investigating the incident since it occurred, a process that the family describes as painfully slow and lacking in transparency.

The lawsuit underscores the family's frustration with the protracted timeline and the perceived lack of communication, pushing them to seek answers and resolution through the civil court system. They contend that the lengthy ASIRT investigation has only compounded their grief and the uncertainty surrounding Tuel's death.

The Tuel family is seeking substantial compensation for damages, including but not limited to, loss of care, guidance, companionship, and emotional suffering caused by their profound loss.

Beyond monetary compensation, this lawsuit represents a heartfelt plea for acknowledgement, accountability, and a catalyst for change within police practices to prevent similar tragedies from befalling other families struggling with mental health crises.

This legal challenge serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding police intervention in mental health emergencies and the critical need for appropriate training, resources, and protocols to ensure the safety of both the public and officers.

As the lawsuit proceeds, it promises to bring further scrutiny to the actions of the Calgary Police Service and the broader implications for community safety and justice.