An inquest has been announced into the death of Jason Peterson who died in 2020 following an interaction with Hamilton police officers.
The jury will examine the incident that happened on July 7, 2020 when 42-year-old Peterson was in the front passenger seat of a gold Buick with two other people in a parking lot near Cannon Street East and Gage Avenue North.
Hamilton police were attempting to arrest Peterson after receiving a call from the mother of his ex-girlfriend regarding a domestic dispute. Officers followed him and blocked in his vehicle that Ontario’s top police watchdog said was stolen.
The Special Investigations Unit said Peterson fired his shotgun at a police officer, which prompted one officer to return fire from the front and another officer from behind.
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The SIU said the officers had little choice but to shoot.
Peterson later died in hospital from a gunshot wound in the back of his head.
The police watchdog cleared the two officers in 2021, saying there were no reasonable grounds to believe they committed a crime.
Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General on Wednesday announced a coroner’s inquest into his death is mandatory under the Coroners Act.
The ministry says more details regarding the inquest, including the date and location, will be provided at a later date.
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