NL

Too early for Don Dunphy shooting inquiry, say N.L. Liberals

The Newfoundland and Labrador Liberals say it is too soon to call for an inquiry into the death of Don Dunphy, despite a call from the NDP for one.
Don Dunphy, 59, was killed by an RNC officer on April 5 in the town of Mitchells Brook. (CBC)

The Newfoundland and Labrador Liberals say it is too soon to call for an inquiry into the death of Don Dunphy.

The Mitchells Brook resident was shot dead on Easter Sunday, after an RNC officer went to Dunphy's home to investigate statements he made on social media.

Provincial NDP Leader Earle McCurdy spoke out Wednesday, calling for a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Liberal MHA and justice critic Andrew Parsons said on Wednesday that the RCMP should be allowed to complete its investigation before an inquiry is considered. 

"The family and the general public want their questions answered," he told CBC News.

"Certainly so do I and an inquiry may be the way to do that."

Andrew Parsons is the Opposition justice critic and Liberal MHA for Burgeo-La Poile. (CBC)

However, he says if there is an inquiry it may have to scrutinize the RCMP's role in the RNC's decision to visit Dunphy's home.

"I think the OPP (Ontario Police Department) would have been the right force to bring in to handle this investigation. The RCMP played a part of this situation," he said.

"The RNC called the RCMP for a risk assessment in this matter. That directly involves them in the chain of events that led to this tragedy."

Outside police have been called in to investigate incidents involving the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary before. 

For example, the OPP is currently investigating the death of a woman who crashed on Bay Bulls road after speeding past a parked RNC patrol car.    

With files from Mark Quinn