In light of a case of alleged racial profiling at the Safeway in Prince Rupert this week involving a member of the Gitxaala Nation, the Nation’s leadership has issued a statement calling for a full transparent review of what took place.
According to witnesses at the scene, On Tuesday, March 3rd, a Gitxaala member waiting for a family member near the store’s checkout was approached by a security officer and allegedly had been accused of stealing. The Nation says the situation then escalated, with allegations of the excessive use of force being used against the Gitxaala member by both uniformed and non-uniformed private security officers.
Speaking to CFNR News today, Brenna Innes, Gitxaala Nation’s Deputy Chief, confirmed that multiple witnesses have since come forward to the Nation with statements and videos of what took place this past Tuesday, and said the Nation is doing what it can to ensure those details make it to the Prince Rupert RCMP, which is currently investigating the matter.
“Prince Rupert is a very small town and our members should feel safe going to the grocery store, or any establishment for that matter” – Brenna Innes, Gitxaala Nation’s Deputy Chief
Innes confirmed that the Nation is in full support of laying criminal charges if the BC Prosecution Service approves, and has also reached out to a legal team for advice on next steps. She also added, no apology has been offered.
“Nobody has given an apology, no”- Brenna Innes, Gitxaala Nation’s Deputy Chief
Deputy Chief Innes noted the far reaching impacts of the incident, but stressed that any apology offered should be given to those directly affected, as she says they need to have reassurance that what they experienced that day was wrong.
“It impacts everybody, but I think an apology to the people that were there at the time, that witnessed it all… it sounds very traumatic for everybody to have witnessed, and especially the individual that this happened to, and his family. They all need to have that confirmation that what had occurred is wrong. – Brenna Innes, Gitxaala Nation’s Deputy Chief
CFNR News has reached out to the Prince Rupert RCMP for comment and Staff Sergeant Kris Clark, Senior Media Relations Officer with E Division HQ, confirmed that all aspects of the incident are being investigated, and if any criminality is found, they will forward their findings on to the BC Prosecution Service.
Staff Sargent Clark also confirmed that RCMP officers had responded to Safeway at 2:22pm on March 3rd due to a report of an allegedly unprovoked assault, and that they had taken the alleged suspect detained by Safeway security into RCMP custody and brought them to the holding cells at the Detachment. Staff Sargent Clark said this person was then released on ‘court-compelling documents with conditions believed necessary to mitigate further conflict’. He also said those involved in the initial detainment have been co-operative with the police investigation.
CFNR News has reached out to the parent company of the Prince Rupert Safeway, but we have not yet received a response. Deputy Chief Innes says she had been in touch with the Safeway to confirm the footage of the incident would be available to police – to which she says they agreed.
While the investigation progresses, Deputy Chief Innes says that Nation is doing what it can to support the family involved, and wants all it’s members to know they take the matter seriously, and offered these words:
“We don’t take these situations lightly, we hear about it far too often within the public and over social media, and we just want to ensure that our members are safe.” – Brenna Innes, Gitxaala Nation’s Deputy Chief
Gitxaala Enterprises Corporation has also thrown its support behind the investigation, but also addressed a recent rumor in circulation, clarifying that none of it’s employees had been involved.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no charges have been laid at this time.
