There is new hope for the family of a teenager who died by gunshot, in January 2025, after a coroner’s report rejected the Montreal police (SPVM) conclusion that he died by suicide. Coroner Andrée Kronström’s report on Friday said 18-year old Emmanuel Diafouka’s death in Trottier Park in Dollard-Des Ormeaux is “of undetermined intent.” “All the evidence gathered during the investigation is consistent with self-inflicted injury using a sawed-off firearm. However, despite the analysis of the personal context, history, testimonies from family members, and forensic findings, the available evidence does not allow for establishing with sufficient certainty the intent behind this act,” the report reads. “Although the deceased appears to have handled the firearm—the origin of which remains unknown—the available evidence does not support the conclusion that there was a clear intent to take his own life. In the absence of objective and conclusive evidence establishing suicidal intent, the hypothesis of suicide is not accepted.” Diafouka’s family has always had questions about his death and the SPVM’s investigation and rejected the investigators’ conclusion. The SPVM said that their investigation is to determine whether a criminal offence has been committed and, “to identify the individuals involved, and to gather the evidence necessary for potential criminal charges.” “Upon completion of the investigation into the case in question, the SPVM found no evidence of criminal activity,” the SPVM said, adding that their investigation matches the coroner’s report in that his death was caused by Diafouka discharging the gun. The Center for Research-Action on Race Relations (CRARR) is working with the family and a news release says the SPVM investigation led to the conclusion of suicide following an argument with his ex-partner. The boys’ father, Jean-François, feels the investigation was too quick and that investigators failed to interview witnesses and disregarded circumstances and evidence. His mother, Chimene Moumpala, says that her son loved life and showed no signs of depression. Kronström echoes this sentiment and writes that “there is no compelling evidence to establish a clear suicidal intent,” adding that relatives spoken to “unanimously reported that they had not observed any concerning behavioural changes in the days leading up to the death.” The coroner’s findings, the CRARR release says, provided some comfort and relieve for the family, but also raised questions about how Diafouka gained access to the shortened .22-calibre semi-automatic rifle with a detachable magazine, a prohibited weapon. “This conclusion by the coroner stands in direct opposition to the overly hasty—and arguably irresponsible—conclusion reached by the SPVM investigators, which plunged us into a long period of turmoil, endless questioning, and guilt,” said the boy’s father. “On what basis did the SPVM conclude it was a suicide, given that the autopsy results and ballistic test findings were not yet available?” The report found that the teen handled the weapon and that a third party was not involved, but the family has questions. They would like to know the following: The family has filed a formal complaint with the Police Ethics Commissioner and is awaiting results. “Sometimes, we no longer know what to think or what to say,” said Moumpala. “But one thing is clear: Emmanuel’s death should prompt all parents to show more love and pay closer attention to the lives of their adolescent children, especially regarding access to firearms.” With files from CTV News’ Matt Gilmour
