The Killing Of Jj Harper Essay

In most cases when a police officer has to shoot an offender, it is purely out of self-defense or the defense of others. In the case of the killing of J.J. Harper though, the motive for his death is not as clear. On the night of March eighth nineteen eighty-eight, several police officers of the Winnipeg Police Department responded to a call of a vehicle having been stolen. Meanwhile, J. J. Harper, a native male could be found enjoying drinks with his friends at the St. Regis Hotel on Smith Street. A few hours later, after having visited a few more bars, J.J. Harper decided to call it a night, and all headed their separate ways at two o’clock in the morning. They didn't know that it would be the last time that they would ever see each other …show more content…
J. Harper a thirty seven year old native male from Winnipeg went out drinking the night of his death with several of his friends. They started off the night at the St. Regis hotel, but later moved on to the Westbrook hotel followed by a lounge named DJ’s. By the end of the night, J.J. Harper was very intoxicated, his BAC reading .22, which is almost three times the legal impairment for drivers. He was offered a ride home by one of his friends who was also intoxicated, but refused, and started walking to his home on Elgin Street. It was around this time that Constable Cross and Hodgins spotted a vehicle matching that of the stolen one and started in pursuit of it. A while later, the car hit a snow bank, and the two young men, one of the age of thirteen and the other nineteen, attempted to flee the scene. Allan the younger of the two was not as successful, and Constable Cross caught him on foot. Shortly after, four more Constables arrived on the scene, and the hunt for the young male …show more content…
A short while later, Hampton witnessed a young man crossing the street, and gave the signal for the others to move in on him. When Hampton came near him, he attempted to flee between two houses. Constable Poinera then radioed the details of the chase to other officers in an attempt to apprehend the offender. After a long chase, and many clever moves, Constable Isaaac managed to apprehend the suspect. At this time, about 2:37 a.m., Constable Cross was stepping out of his police car located on Logan Street. Approximately one minute after having stepped out of his cruiser, he heard that the suspect had been arrested. He then encountered J.J. Harper walking down the street, and asked him for identification. Harper refused, and Cross grabbed his arm and turned him around as he attempted to leave. Constable Cross has testified that Harper then pushed him, and they fell to the ground. There was a struggle, and Cross thought Harper was going for his gun. As a result, Cross took his gun out of the holster, and then during the struggle accidentally fired a single shot into Harper’s chest. Harper then stood up, and staggered backward before falling to the ground. Cross called an ambulance at 2:40