“I don’t even know how to live with this,” says the wife of the man killed by Hamilton police

The family of the man shot and killed by Hamilton police on Saturday has identified him as Erixon Kabera – a father of three known for his kindness and dedication to Hamilton’s Rwandan community.

His wife, Lydia Nimbeshaho, told CBC News her family is devastated and demanding answers. She was not at Kabera’s apartment at the time of the shooting, but went to see him at the hospital afterwards.

“They killed him like an animal… I don’t even know how to live with this,” she said in an interview.

The province’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), is investigating the shooting at an apartment building on Hamilton’s west side. It did not confirm that Kabera was the victim.

Hamilton police declined to comment on the family’s statement citing the SIU investigation. Spokesperson Jackie Penman said the person who called police reported a man “was at their door, believed to be in possession of a gun.”

The SIU said in a statement that Hamilton officers responded to reports of a man “behaving in a threatening manner” and shots were fired.

A police officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the SIU said, and has been released from the hospital, while the man died of a gunshot wound at 1 a.m. Sunday.

SIU dismisses ‘exchange of gunfire’ claim

The SIU initially said there was a “gunfire”, and later issued a statement saying that based on further investigation, it does not appear the man fired a firearm, but that two police officers did so.

Nimbeshaho said she and her family are “very angry” about the way the case was handled.

“We find this reversal of crucial facts, a full day after we told the whole world otherwise and painted a picture of violence for ourselves, very scandalous and unnerving,” Kabera’s family said in a statement.

“We are steadfast in our belief that Erixon was not armed, nor would he act in a manner that would justify this outcome.”

The SIU said on Monday that its initial statement was based on preliminary information and that an update would be provided after further investigation.

A replica handgun was later recovered at the scene, the SIU said.

His family says Kabera, 43, did not own a gun and had no history of violence.

“He was a peaceful man who valued harmony and community, making this statement extremely difficult to reconcile with the person we knew and loved,” they said in a statement.

Kabera had worked as a resource officer at the Canada Revenue Agency and was “deeply involved” in the Rwandan community, his family’s statement said. In addition to his role as a consultant at the Rwanda Canadian Healing Centre, he served as vice-president of the Rwandan Community Abroad in Toronto.

“Erixon Kabera was a remarkable man whose life was dedicated to love, service and compassion,” the family statement said.

“We miss him dearly, and we seek only the truth to honor his memory.”

The SIU continues to investigate.

A rally in Kabera’s honor will take place at Hamilton City Hall on Thursday at 6 p.m., and supporters have launched an online fundraising campaign to help his family.