Officer probed over Mesic shooting

(Update)

Day 4 of a coroners inquest into the police shooting of Steve Mesic saw the cross examination of Constable Michael McLellan — the second officer who opened fire that day.

Towards the end of his cross examination, Constable Michael McLellan said that in hindsight, he believes that Steve Mesic wanted police to kill him.

Thursday’s questions focused on a small amount of time between two radio communications from McLellan. It was in that time, just 41 seconds, that Mesic was shot. The only three people who truly know what happened in that time are officers McLellan, and Farrell along with Steve Mesic.

But today, we received evidence that helps put the events together, with a 911 call, pictures and radio from the police.

Before shots rang out, before Steve Mesic had been killed, there was a 911 call from a driver on the Linc.

“Hi, there’s a guy on the Lincoln Alexander Expressway trying to run out to traffic. He almost ran in front of my van, and almost killed himself.”

That man running in traffic was Steve Mesic. According to testimony, Mesic signed out of his voluntary stay at St. Joes at 8:15am, to go for a walk. Ten minutes later, he jumped in front of a bus on the Jolley Cut. Mesic was not seriously hurt, and ran off. Then an hour later, he tried again on the Linc. Police had many calls.

“I’m getting several calls from this.”

“10-4. I just saw him. He’s on the south side walking eastbound. I’m just gonna do a U-ey and talk to him.”

The responding officer, Constable Kevin Farrell, testified he made contact on Upper Wentworth. Mesic said he was going for a walk, and then moved quickly behind a row of houses. Police didn’t know he was going to his own house. Soon, Constable Michael McLellan arrived as backup. McLellan and Farrell heard three large bangs from behind the bushes. They went in, and saw Mesic, inside a back yard trying to pry open the back door with a shovel. With a fence between them, they say Mesic turned and walked in their direction holding the shovel. Both officers drew their guns and radio’d to the station.

“3-447 Gun point arrest, guy has a shovel he’s comin at us.”

What happened next, is what the inquest is trying to figure out. 41 seconds passes before police radio again. Both officers say Mesic came under the fence, ignored loud commands to drop the shovel, and began walking towards police holding it like a baseball bat. A witness heard all 9 shots in what he called less than 5 seconds. Constable McLellan radio’d again.

“Shots fired, shots fired.”

Steve Mesic turned and walked towards the street. He soon collapsed in the spot where the blue tent is located.

We understand that Mesic was shot in the chest area. Some may be wondering, why police didn’t aim for another part of the body like a leg or arm. That was addressed at the inquiry.