The inquest into the 2016 death of Abdirahman Abdi, a 38-year-old Somali-Canadian who died after a violent encounter with Ottawa police, has turned its focus to the aftermath of his death. On Day 6 of the inquest, Nimao Ali, a family friend who witnessed and recorded the incident’s harrowing aftermath, recounted her experiences and called for systemic changes in policing and community attitudes toward mental health.
A Witness to Tragedy
Ali, who lived in the same building as Abdi, described her disbelief and heartbreak as she watched events unfold from her fourth-floor balcony. She began filming after seeing Abdi, handcuffed and motionless, surrounded by police officers. Her recording captured the period before and after paramedics arrived.
In the video, a distraught woman—later identified as Abdi’s mother—can be heard wailing off-camera. Ali testified that the family was watching helplessly from the building’s vestibule as Const. Daniel Montsion crouched beside Abdi’s unresponsive body.
“I was disheartened and really disappointed that there was no help being provided,” Ali told the inquest.
CPR Timing Under Scrutiny
The question of whether life-saving measures were delayed has loomed large over the inquiry. While Montsion testified that he followed his training by placing Abdi in a recovery position and calling for upgraded paramedic support, he conceded under questioning that CPR could have been administered earlier.
On Monday, the ER doctor who treated Abdi unequivocally stated that earlier CPR “100 percent” improves medical outcomes, underscoring the critical timing of such interventions.
Fear and Distrust of Police
Ali testified that she gave her video to police but made a copy first, citing fears that it might disappear. Her apprehension grew after officers approached her apartment, asking to speak to her children.
“I was afraid,” Ali said. “I felt like someone was zooming in on me because I recorded the video.”
Her distrust of the police, she explained, was shaped by her broader experiences as a member of Ottawa’s Somali community, which she described as feeling over-policed and racially profiled.
Ali also recounted pressing police to allow Abdi’s family to perform a Muslim prayer at his hospital bedside, a request initially denied due to the ongoing investigation. She persisted, emphasizing the urgency of the moment, and was eventually permitted to proceed, though police officers remained in the room.
Community Fractures and Recommendations
Abdi’s death deepened tensions between Ottawa police and the Somali community, already strained by allegations of racial profiling and systemic discrimination. Ali, who served as a spokesperson for Abdi’s family in the immediate aftermath, highlighted the community’s mistrust of law enforcement.
She also addressed the stigma surrounding mental illness within Somali and immigrant communities. “Mental health is a taboo topic,” Ali said. “People aren’t diagnosed in time, and even when they are, there’s a lack of understanding and support.”
Ali urged the jury to consider recommendations aimed at bridging the gap between police and minority communities. These include:
- Cultural Sensitivity Training: Equipping officers with better understanding of diverse communities.
- Community-Centric Policing: Building trust through engagement and partnership rather than enforcement alone.
- Balancing Investigations and Family Access: Ensuring families can grieve and perform cultural or religious rites during investigations.
As the inquest continues, Ali’s testimony underscores the complex and far-reaching consequences of Abdi’s death. It is not only a story of a single incident but also a reflection of broader issues—racial inequities, systemic mistrust, and the critical need for mental health support within marginalized communities.
Her closing remarks reinforced the need for truth and justice. “In my faith, when you see something, you must tell the truth, no matter who the victim or perpetrator is,” Ali said. “This is about ensuring no family has to go through this again.”
