The coroner’s inquest into the death of a Neskantaga First Nation man is in its final stages after years of waiting.
Presiding coroner David Evans handed the inquest to the five-member jury panel Tuesday as they began deliberations that will examine the events surrounding the death of 27-year-old Bruce Moonias.
Moonias died in the early morning hours of Dec. 11, 2006 in Thunder Bay hospital from complications relating to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his abdomen.
The inquest jury heard how the victim was involved in a standoff with police late in the evening on Dec. 9 at his Neskantaga home, but police did not remove Moonias from his home until nearly 19 hours after he had shot himself.
He was then airlifted to Thunder Bay where he died during surgery.
The jury is considering a joint slate of 21 recommendations from the various parties with standing.
The recommendations range from changes to mental health practices to different response tactics from police.
There is no timeline for the jury to reach their verdict.
The inquest had been scheduled to begin as early as January 2011, but was delayed per the family’s request at the time.
