Inquest date set for 2020 death of man shot by police in St. Catharines

A coroner’s inquest is set to begin next month into the death of a 56-year-old man who died on New Year’s Day in 2020 after being shot by Niagara region police officers.

The inquest on March 20 into the death of Frederick Penner is mandatory under the Coroners Act.

It will examine the circumstances and the jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing future deaths from occurring in similar circumstances.

The inquest will be conducted by video conference and is expected to last three weeks and hear from approximately 20 witnesses.

READ MORE: Man seriously injured after being shot by two Niagara police officers

Police responded to a home on Rykert St. in St. Catharines on Dec. 31, 2019 for reports of a man with a knife.

Officers say an altercation ensued and the man was shot. He suffered life-threatening injuries and was taken to hospital, where he died the following day.

The Special Investigations Unit has identified the victim as Fred Penner.

For clarification, the victim named by the SIU is not the Canadian children’s music performer.

READ MORE: Man dies after being shot by two Niagara police officers