Community Demands for a Coroner's Inquest into the Death of Nicholas (Nickalos) Nembhard

This campaign is to demand a coroner's inquest into the tragic death of Nicholas (Nickalos) "Diamond" Nembhard. He was a 31-year-old Black man in Kitchener who was shot and killed by Waterloo Regional Police while experiencing a mental health crisis.

This campaign has been created with the Nembhard family’s consent and collaboration by engaging in ongoing communication. Nicholas’ siblings have expressed that they need the Waterloo Region community’s support. FightBack! KW has also been supporting his sister with connecting to legal support and supporting her with post-secondary school application and preparation process, and other services so she can continue to stay in the country. Their mom and other family members are in Jamaica and they currently have no way of contacting them due to the destruction from hurricane Beryl.

A Coroner's Inquest is only the first step in getting support and closure for the Nembhard’s, however right now it is something they desperately need our community's support for. We need to show that Nicholas' life mattered and police cannot kill people experiencing a mental health crisis with impunity. Please help us with our campaign!

If you have any questions or would like to help further, contact FightBack! KW on Instagram @fightbackkw or email fightback.kw@gmail.com

Co-endorsed by:
- QTPOC KW
- Community Justice Initiatives (CJI)
- Disability Justice Network of Ontario
- Equity Network
- FightBack! KW
- Neighbours for Palestine Waterloo Region
- Queer Youth Defense
- Out of the Box Counselling and Collaborations
- Sex Workers' Action Network of Waterloo Region (SWAN)
- A Womb With A View
- WR Women's Shelter Now
- Jack.org Wilmot-Waterloo
- GroundUpWR
- Mask Bloc Waterloo Region
- The Kween Company

To: (1 recipients)

Office of the Chief Coroner

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Dear Chief Coroner Dr. Huyer and Chief Forensic Pathologist Dr. Pollanen:

Re: Request to hold an inquest into the death of Nicholas Nembhard born on June 20, 1992 and who died on February 19, 2024.

With a deep sense of urgency, I am writing to you on behalf of our Kitchener community, united in grief and profound outrage over the tragic death of Nicholas Nembhard and the June 20 SIU report clearing WRPS of wrongdoing. We request that you consider opening an inquest into the circumstances of his death.

The circumstances surrounding Nicholas’ death are not only tragic but deeply troubling. Nicholas, a 31-year-old Black man experiencing a mental health crisis and in need of support, was tased twice by a Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) officer using a Conducted Energy Weapon before being fatally shot twice by another WRPS officer using a firearm. I respectfully invite you to consider opening an inquest as I have reason to believe that the death was unjustifiable, an unreasonable use of force, and a failure of care.

Nicholas was more than just a statistic or a victim of a tragic incident—he was a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and a pillar of strength for his family, as well as a valued member of our Waterloo Region community. Known for his unwavering commitment to his family, he played an indispensable role in supporting his loved ones, both here in Canada and in Jamaica. His sudden and violent death has left an irreplaceable void in their lives, and has shattered our community. This deeply troubling and devastating tragedy, marked by an avoidable excessive use of force, underscores serious systemic issues of police violence and brutality, anti-Black racism, white supremacy, colonial power, and ableism, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and transformative justice.

As concerned members of the community, we are united in demanding transparency, accountability, and justice for Nicholas, his family, and our community. We implore you to take immediate action and commit to initiating a coroner's inquest to thoroughly and impartially investigate the events leading to Nicholas’ tragic death without delay, including the response of the WRPS and any factors contributing to the outcome. Such an inquiry is crucial not only for uncovering the truth but also for addressing systemic issues that contributed to this tragedy, and ensuring that similar tragedies are prevented in the future. This is not just a matter of procedural formality but a moral imperative. It is a critical step towards accountability and healing in the face of profound loss and injustice.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this urgent matter. We anticipate your swift response and unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for Nicholas and his grieving family.

Sincerely,

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