Witness evidence complete at coroner’s inquest looking into police shooting death of Sarnia man

Justin Paul Bourassa (Source: McKenzie Blundy Funeral Home)

On Friday, the final witness testified at the coroner’s inquest looking into the police shooting death of Justin Bourassa, 29, of Sarnia.

The one-time tennis instructor was shot by a London police officer after he placed another officer in a rear naked chokehold along Richmond Row in downtown London in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2021.

The jury has heard that at the time Bourassa had been mistaken to be a break-and-enter suspect.

Sgt. Daniel Thompson of the London Police Service, who is the coordinator of the police reintegration program, was the final witness at the inquest.

He testified about peer support and wellness programs available to officers.

Closing submissions and recommendations from the lawyers involved in the inquest are expected to be heard on Monday.

After that, the jury will retire to come up with its own set of recommendations aimed at preventing future similar incidents.