Police review of Don Dunphy shooting complete and with N.L. RCMP

The external review into the shooting death of Don Dunphy by a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer is now complete and in the hands of the Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP.

The RCMP confirmed the investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) has been handed over and officers are reviewing its contents, with a public release of some kind forthcoming.

Dunphy, 59, was shot and killed by the officer on April 5, 2015. RCMP say he was shot after aiming a loaded rifle at the officer, but questions about those circumstances have swirled among the public since that day.

Justice Minister Andrew Parsons said in a statement on Wednesday evening that the Department of Justice had not received the ASIRT report, and it would be up to the RCMP to determine its next steps.

"I remain committed to holding a public inquiry into this matter," he added. "I expect to determine appropriate timing to conduct the inquiry in the weeks ahead.

'Essential' review , family says

Erin Breen, the lawyer representing Don Dunphy's daughter, says it was important to the family that an independent review into the RCMP investigation of Dunphy's death be performed.

"We're happy that work was done. That was essential to Meghan [Dunphy], to make sure than an independent body was involved here to ensure objectivity," she said.

"She's hoping to get some answers as to what happened on that day ... we've never felt that we have an adequate picture."

Breen said she wants to see the ASIRT review and the RCMP report as soon as possible.

"No one has told us when that will happen, but she has certainly made her wishes known to the RCMP," Breen said.