A police officer who was disarmed and shot after a routine traffic stop along the Highway 40 access road defends identifying the wrong suspect, saying he was attacked so violently he thought he would die that day.
“These were fatal blows. I was in defense mode and felt the blood rush to my head. It happened very, very, very quickly,” police officer Sanjay Vig testified this Thursday at the Montreal courthouse.
Police officer Sanjay Vig testifies at Ali Ngarukiye’s trial at the Montreal courthouse. MARIO BEAUREGARD/AGENCE QMI
For the first time since his attack on January 28, 2021, Officer Vig spoke publicly with the aim of convicting 23-year-old defendant Ali Ngarukiye. Standing directly in front of the jury, the agent began the story of his day in the Parc Extension sector, which led him to an action against cell phone use while driving. There he intercepted Mamadi Camara, a man who had been falsely accused of the attack, before being acquitted after a week in detention.
Photos submitted on January 28, 2021 at the trial of Ali Ngarukiye, accused of attempted murder of police officer Sanjay Vig. The photos show the place where the police officer was attacked with an iron rod. He was then disarmed and shot. Courtesy (Photo provided by Court)
But unlike Mr Camara, who swore he remained polite by assuring he did not use his mobile phone, Officer Vig described a man full of sullenness and anger.
“He was screaming at me, I saw his neck tense up, I saw the veins, knives coming out of his eyes,” Officer Vig said. People are unhappy about getting a ticket, but for him it was really pronounced. »
Photos submitted on January 28, 2021 at the trial of Ali Ngarukiye, accused of attempted murder of police officer Sanjay Vig. The photos show the place where the police officer was attacked with an iron rod. He was then disarmed and shot. Courtesy (Photo provided by Court)
A big boom !
According to Mr. Camara’s version, police officer Vig was attacked as he was preparing to file the criminal complaint. But the agent, for his part, swears that the attack happened later as he returned to his patrol car, suggesting that Camara may actually be a suspect.
“I turned around and suddenly, boom! The police officer testified. I felt a really big object hit the back of my head, it hurt a lot. I actually saw stars. I was sure it was the driver [M. Camara]. »
The police officer was attacked with a metal rod and then protected his head for fear of dying.
“One more blow and it could be the end for me, the next blow was death,” he said.
Photos submitted on January 28, 2021 at the trial of Ali Ngarukiye, accused of attempted murder of police officer Sanjay Vig. The photos show the place where the police officer was attacked with an iron rod. He was then disarmed and shot. Courtesy (Photo provided by Court)
In survival mode
Then at some point the attacker jumped at him. Convinced he was going to die, Officer Vig said he went into “survival mode.” And when he felt the suspect draw his gun to disarm him, the officer said he did everything he could to protect himself, despite his vulnerability after being attacked from behind. However, the suspect managed to gain control of the weapon.
“I thought he was going to execute me,” Officer Vig said, adding that he found the strength to stand while thinking about his children.
Photos submitted on January 28, 2021 at the trial of Ali Ngarukiye, accused of attempted murder of police officer Sanjay Vig. The photos show the place where the police officer was attacked with an iron rod. He was then disarmed and shot. Courtesy (Photo provided by Court)
Wounded and with blurred vision, he decided to flee, hoping that the attacker would miss if he fired. And that’s exactly what happened, according to a police officer’s report, who then called for backup. There he falsely identified Mr. Camara.
“I didn’t look at the face, I saw stars,” Agent Vig justified himself, swearing that he was convinced it was the attacker.
Mamadi Camara during her testimony in the trial of Ali Ngarukiye. Montreal, September 11, 2023. PIERRE-PAUL POULIN/LE JOURNAL DE MONTRÉAL/AGENCY QMI Pierre-Paul Poulin / Le Journal de Montréal / Agence QMI
After a lengthy investigation, Ali Ngarukiye was finally arrested. His trial, presided over by judge François Dadour, continues this Friday with the remaining testimony of police officer Vig.
The defendant is defended by Messrs. Sharon Sandiford and Moana Franco.
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