Brother Of Man Shot Dead By Police Speaks Out

Michael Mahoney and his family are struggling to come to grips with the violent death of his brother in a police shooting in downtown Windsor this week.

Matthew Mahoney, 33, was shot several times by two officers in a confrontation near Wyandotte St. E and Goyeau St. Wednesday morning.

A witness told AM800 News a man carrying a butcher block of knives was ordered to stop by police.  The witness said the man pulled a knife and lunged at police, prompting officers to use a stun gun.  When that didn't subdue him, the witness said officers shot the man.

Mahoney says his younger brother struggled with mental illness for years.  He says family members told him Matt "seemed lonely and worried about his health" three days before his death.

Michael and Mathew Mahoney (Photo courtesy of Michael Mahoney)

Michael describes his brother as always worried about other people.

"He was always trying to help, bringing people food, bringing them a coffee.  It was always about other people," says Mahoney.

He doesn't blame police for his brother's death.

"He [Matt] regularly called the police just because he was lonely and wanted someone to talk to.  He called the police to ask for help but he had trouble expressing himself," says Mahoney.  "Many officers in Windsor showed him a lot of patience and understanding.  Those officers deserve a lot of respect for doing a very difficult job and for showing him that compassion when he needed it."

He last saw his brother Matt at Christmas, and his last contact with him was two weeks ago. Mahoney says with mental illness his family always worried about his brother's interactions with police, but they never thought something like this would happen.

"Matt was always reasonable, even in his darkest moments you could always — with patience — get through to him," he says.

Mahoney says his family is hoping to get some answers as to what happen Wednesday morning in downtown Windsor, but right now they're trying to focus on remembering Matt.

— with files from AM800's Peter Langille.

Michael and Matthew Mahoney (right) (Photo courtesy of Michael Mahoney)