Eishia Loretta Hudson (June 2, 2003 – April 8, 2020) was a teenage Indigenous person who was shot by the Winnipeg Police Service following a robbery, car chase and collision.[1][2] She later succumbed to Her wounds.[3][4] After her death, there was public outrage and rallies against police brutality towards indigenous peoples.[5]
Eishia Hudson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Eishia Loletta Hudson June 2, 2003 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Died | April 8, 2020 (aged 16) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Cause of death | Gunshot wound |
| Parent(s) | Christie Zebrasky William Hudson |
Biography
editEishia Loletta Hudson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 2, 2003, to parents Christie Zebrasky and William Hudson.[6] She was raised by her paternal grandmother in Berens River, Manitoba, until moving to Winnipeg at the age of eight to live with her mother.[7]
Background
editOn April 8, 2020, Winnipeg Police were called to a liquor store after it was reported that multiple suspects allegedly stole alcohol from the store, and took off in a stolen vehicle.[8] An officer recognized the stolen vehicle and began following it down Lagimodiere Boulevard.[9] The vehicle which was an SUV then rammed into a police cruiser and a car chase ensued.[10] While in pursuit, the stolen vehicle collided with multiple other vehicles.[11] Hudson was driving the vehicle with four other suspects inside.[12] After the vehicle Hudson was driving crashed, police attempted to arrest them, she then tried to reverse the vehicle and at that point she was shot.[13] Hudson was transported to hospital in critical condition and later died.[14][15] The four other occupants in the vehicle were charged with robbery and other offences.[16]
Aftermath
editIn response to Hudson's death, the Indigenous Bar Association pushed the Manitoba government for an independent inquiry into her death.[17] On June 19, 2020, more than a thousand people gathered at the Manitoba Legislative Building for a rally to honour Hudson.[18] Wab Kinew and Leah Gazan attended the rally.[19]
On January 28, 2021, the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba revealed that the unnamed officer who fatally shot Hudson would not be facing any charges.[20] Later that day at a press conference, Hudson’s father called for a public inquiry into police related deaths of Indigenous peoples.[21]
In December 2021, Hudson’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Winnipeg.[22]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Martens, Kathleen; Hobson, Brittany (January 28, 2021). "Family of Eishia Hudson calls for inquiry after Winnipeg police cleared in fatal shooting". APTN News.
- ^ Unger, Danton (April 8, 2021). "'No child deserves that': vigil held for Eishia Hudson one year after she was shot and killed by police". CTV News.
- ^ "'She never wanted to let me down': Mother of teen shot by Winnipeg police speaks out". CTV News. Archived from the original on 20 October 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Racism Kills in Canada as Much as in the United". Vice News. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "'Enough is enough': Winnipeggers rally for justice for Indigenous lives in name of 16-year-old shot by police". CBC News. Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "EISHIA LOLETTA HUDSON - Winnipeg Free Press Passages".
- ^ "Families await answers in three fatal shootings of Indigenous people by Winnipeg police this spring". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 20 February 2021. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Manitoba child advocate reviewing teenager's death following police shooting". CTV News. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "'Lots of questions' after 16-year-old girl's fatal shooting by Winnipeg police, father says". CBC News. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Manitoba's police watchdog looking for witnesses in fatal shooting of teen girl". CTV News. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Winnipeg parents of girl, 16, fatally shot by police in shock and grieving". CBC News. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Winnipeg Police Killed Three Indigenous People in 10 Days". Vice News. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "No charges for Winnipeg officer who shot 16-year-old girl after police chase". CBC. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Teen dies in hospital after police shooting during vehicle stop in Winnipeg". City News Toronto. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- ^ "16-year-old Winnipeg girl shot and killed by police". APTN News. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Easter Sunday vigil held for 16-year-old girl killed in officer-involved shooting". Winnipeg Sun. 13 April 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Indigenous Bar Association calls for inquiry into police killing of Indigenous teenager". Canadian Lawyer. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Rally for 16-year-old girl shot by police held at Legislative Building". CTV News. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Demanding Justice. CityNews Winnipeg. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ "Police officer who shot and killed Winnipeg girl will not face charges". Bowen Island Undercurrent. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Manitoba watchdog clears Winnipeg police officer in shooting that killed Eishia Hudson". Global News. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Eishia Hudson's family files civil suit over teen's fatal April 2020 shooting by Winnipeg police". CBC News. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.