First day of inquest hears of Abdirahman Abdi’s earlier life, mental health struggles in Canada

The Abdirahman Abdi inquest, a virtual event being livestreamed during the day, is shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the death of a Black man who died in 2016 after a violent altercation with Ottawa police. The first day of the inquest delved into Abdi’s life before coming to Ottawa, as well as his struggles with mental health once he arrived in the city.

Abdi, a 38-year-old Somali-Canadian, was pronounced dead a day after he was arrested during a physical struggle in front of his Hintonburg apartment building. His death sparked outrage and raised questions about police use of force and their handling of Black men and mental health calls. One of the arresting officers was acquitted of manslaughter in 2020, and a lawsuit between Abdi’s family and the police was settled later that year.

The inquest is mandatory because Abdi died in police custody. It will not only revisit the events leading up to Abdi’s death but also explore broader issues such as police training on use of force, paramedics’ care of Abdi, and the handling of 911 calls involving mental health. Additionally, the inquest will address intercultural competence and anti-Black racism.

Lawrence Greenspon, the lawyer representing Abdi’s family, expressed disappointment in the lack of progress made since the settlement of the lawsuit. The family hopes that positive change will result from the inquest, particularly in how police respond to mental health crises involving Black or racialized individuals.

Born in Somalia, Abdi spent time in a refugee camp in Kenya before moving to Canada with his family in 2009. He returned to Ethiopia in 2015 to get married but struggled with mental health issues upon his return to Ottawa. Abdi was treated in hospitals and outpatient clinics, with doctors diagnosing him with signs of a schizophrenia spectrum illness in the months leading up to his death.

The inquest will not hear from the women who reported that Abdi had groped or touched them that fateful morning. Instead, information gathered by Ottawa police during their investigation will be presented. Witnesses like psychiatrist Darren Courtney, who intervened when he saw Abdi behaving erratically, will provide their accounts.

The inquest is expected to last until December 16 and will involve 27 witnesses. The goal is to determine the manner of Abdi’s death and make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future. The process will address complex and contentious issues, providing a platform for all involved parties to seek answers and accountability.