Ten years after their son’s death following a wellness check, Pat and Irene Heffernan express frustration over the lack of answers from the Calgary Police Service. A scheduled five-day disciplinary hearing against two officers involved in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Anthony Heffernan in 2015 was abruptly halted on Monday. The disciplinary charges against Sgt. Lon Brewster and Const. Sandeep Shergill were withdrawn, and the hearing adjourned after a brief hour-long session.
“The Calgary police must be held accountable for their actions, and until they face consequences, there will be no meaningful change,” stated Pat Heffernan. The decision to drop the cases during the hearing was influenced by the significant passage of time, with expectations that any outcome would only result in reprimands, as disclosed during the proceedings.
A Calgary Police Service spokesperson clarified that the two officers under scrutiny were not directly involved in the alleged excessive force that led to Mr. Heffernan’s tragic demise. Expressing regret, the spokesperson acknowledged the profound grief experienced by the Heffernan family and the challenging nature of the entire process.
The incident unfolded on March 16, 2015, when police were summoned to a northeast Calgary motel to check on Anthony Heffernan, who had not vacated his room as scheduled. Upon discovering him alone in the room engaging in drug use, officers claim that within 72 seconds, Heffernan was shot four times, including in vital areas like the head and neck, after he purportedly rushed at them with a syringe that was later found to be needle-less.
Following the incident, both the RCMP and the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) conducted investigations. While ASIRT recommended charges against the officer who discharged the fatal shots, Const. Maurice McLoughlin, no criminal charges were pursued by Crown prosecutors. Subsequently, three officers resigned from the Calgary Police Service, evading any potential penalties.
Pat and Irene Heffernan raise concerns about the lack of pre-established plans when Sgt. Brewster, who was promoted to staff sergeant shortly after the incident, entered their son’s room. The dropped charges come as a relief to Shergill’s lawyer, Shamsher Kothari, who emphasized the prolonged duration of the unresolved matter.
As the Heffernans strive for justice through an appeal, they recall fond memories of their beloved son, highlighting his humor and charisma. While waiting for further developments, they plan to meet with CPS’s acting chief, Katie McLellan. The family remains resolute in seeking accountability and closure amidst an ongoing quest for justice and answers.
