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UPDATED: SIU release name of man killed in taser death

At this time, one subject officer and seven witness officers have been designated
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In accordance with the Special Investigations Unit’s name release policy which requires consent from next of kin, the Unit is releasing the name of the man who died yesterday morning in North Bay after being tasered by a North Bay police officer.

The deceased man has been identified as 43-year-old Gordon Dale Couvrette.

See: SIU confirms investigation of North Bay officer in taser death

And: Local man dies after being tasered by police

The SIU continues to investigate this incident. At this time, one subject officer and seven witness officers have been designated. The post-mortem took place this morning in Sudbury.

Police say they were called to the scene of a domestic abuse incident early yesterday morning.

However a friend close to the family, Emma Higgins, disputes that domestic abuse was occurring.

"He woke up from sleep delirious from his bipolar medication and thought someone broke in so he started yelling trying to scare the 'intruder' protecting his girlfriend. She and her son told the cops that they can’t taze him he’s bipolar and on medication for it and his heart can’t take it and that he was doing no harm."

The friend adds, police "held him down and tazed him in the heart." She says Couvrette died of a heart attack.

It was shortly after their arrival, that officers tried to arrest the man in the home. 

While arresting him the conducted energy weapon (Taser) was used. An ambulance was then called as the man appeared to be in medical distress.

He was taken to the North Bay Regional Health Centre where he was pronounced dead.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault. Under the Police Services Act, the Director of the SIU must


Jeff Turl

About the Author: Jeff Turl

Jeff is a veteran of the news biz. He's spent a lengthy career in TV, radio, print and online, covering both news and sports. He enjoys free time riding motorcycles and spoiling grandchildren.
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