Death of Eishia Hudson explained

Eishia Hudson
Birth Name:Eishia Loletta Hudson
Birth Date:2 June 2003
Birth Place:Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Death Place:Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Death Cause:Gunshot wound
Parents:Christie Zebrasky
William Hudson

Eishia Loretta Hudson (June 2, 2003 – April 8, 2020) was a teenage Indigenous person who was shot by the Winnipeg Police Service following a robbery, car chase and collision.[1] [2] She later died due to the wound.[3] [4] After her death, there was public outrage and rallies against police brutality towards indigenous peoples.[5]

Biography

Eishia Loletta Hudson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 2, 2003, to parents Christie Zebrasky and William Hudson.[6] She was raised by her paternal grandmother in Berens River, Manitoba, until moving to Winnipeg at the age of eight to live with her mother.[7]

Background

On April 8, 2020, Winnipeg Police were called to a liquor store after it was reported that multiple suspects allegedly stole alcohol from the store, and took off in a stolen vehicle.[8] An officer recognized the stolen vehicle and began following it down Lagimodiere Boulevard.[9] The vehicle which was an SUV then rammed into a police cruiser and a car chase ensued.[10] While in pursuit, the stolen vehicle collided with multiple other vehicles.[11] Hudson was driving the vehicle with four other suspects inside.[12] After the vehicle Hudson was driving crashed, police attempted to arrest them, she then tried to reverse the vehicle and at that point she was shot.[13] Hudson was transported to hospital in critical condition and later died.[14] [15] The four other occupants in the vehicle were charged with robbery and other offences.[16]

Aftermath

In response to Hudson's death, the Indigenous Bar Association pushed the Manitoba government for an independent inquiry into her death.[17] On June 19, 2020, more than a thousand people gathered at the Manitoba Legislative Building for a rally to honour Hudson.[18] Wab Kinew and Leah Gazan attended the rally.[19]

On January 28, 2021, the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba revealed that the unnamed officer who fatally shot Hudson would not be facing any charges.[20] Later that day at a press conference, Hudson’s father called for a public inquiry into police related deaths of Indigenous peoples.[21]

In December 2021, Hudson’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Winnipeg.[22]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Martens . Kathleen. Hobson . Brittany . January 28, 2021 . Family of Eishia Hudson calls for inquiry after Winnipeg police cleared in fatal shooting . APTN News.
  2. News: Unger . Danton . April 8, 2021 . 'No child deserves that': vigil held for Eishia Hudson one year after she was shot and killed by police . CTV News.
  3. Web site: 'She never wanted to let me down': Mother of teen shot by Winnipeg police speaks out. CTV News . https://web.archive.org/web/20201020210913/https://winnipeg.ctvnews.ca/mobile/she-never-wanted-to-let-me-down-mother-of-teen-shot-by-winnipeg-police-speaks-out-1.4890101. 20 October 2020. 22 December 2020.
  4. Web site: Racism Kills in Canada as Much as in the United . Vice News . https://web.archive.org/web/20210130181056/https://www.vice.com/en/article/bv8med/racism-kills-in-canada-as-much-as-in-the-united-states. 30 January 2021. 22 December 2020.
  5. Web site: 'Enough is enough': Winnipeggers rally for justice for Indigenous lives in name of 16-year-old shot by police. CBC News . https://web.archive.org/web/20210130181835/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/winnipeg-rally-justice-indigenous-police-1.5620599. 30 January 2021. 22 December 2020.
  6. Web site: EISHIA LOLETTA HUDSON - Winnipeg Free Press Passages.
  7. Web site: Families await answers in three fatal shootings of Indigenous people by Winnipeg police this spring. The Globe and Mail . https://web.archive.org/web/20210220165344/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/amp/canada/article-families-await-answers-in-three-fatal-shootings-of-indigenous-people/. 20 February 2021. 22 December 2020.
  8. News: Manitoba child advocate reviewing teenager's death following police shooting. CTV News. 17 April 2020. 22 December 2020.
  9. News: 'Lots of questions' after 16-year-old girl's fatal shooting by Winnipeg police, father says . CBC News. 25 April 2020. 22 December 2020.
  10. News: Manitoba's police watchdog looking for witnesses in fatal shooting of teen girl . CTV News. 29 May 2020. 22 December 2020.
  11. News: Winnipeg parents of girl, 16, fatally shot by police in shock and grieving. CBC News. 10 April 2020. 22 December 2020.
  12. News: Winnipeg Police Killed Three Indigenous People in 10 Days. Vice News. 22 April 2020. 22 December 2020.
  13. News: No charges for Winnipeg officer who shot 16-year-old girl after police chase. CBC. 28 January 2021. 28 January 2021.
  14. News: Teen dies in hospital after police shooting during vehicle stop in Winnipeg . City News Toronto. 9 April 2020. 18 January 2021.
  15. News: 16-year-old Winnipeg girl shot and killed by police . APTN News. 9 April 2020. 22 December 2020.
  16. News: Easter Sunday vigil held for 16-year-old girl killed in officer-involved shooting . Winnipeg Sun. 13 April 2020. 22 December 2020.
  17. News: Indigenous Bar Association calls for inquiry into police killing of Indigenous teenager. Canadian Lawyer. 21 April 2020. 22 December 2020.
  18. News: Rally for 16-year-old girl shot by police held at Legislative Building. CTV News. 19 June 2020. 22 December 2020.
  19. Demanding Justice. CityNews Winnipeg. 21 August 2020. 22 December 2020.
  20. News: Police officer who shot and killed Winnipeg girl will not face charges . Bowen Island Undercurrent. 28 January 2021. 28 January 2021.
  21. News: Manitoba watchdog clears Winnipeg police officer in shooting that killed Eishia Hudson. Global News. 28 January 2021. 28 January 2021.
  22. News: Eishia Hudson's family files civil suit over teen's fatal April 2020 shooting by Winnipeg police. CBC News. 21 December 2021. 28 December 2021.