Hamilton police say a criminal investigation has been launched into the emergency medical care provided to a Good Samaritan who police have said was killed after trying to intervene in an altercation earlier this month.
Yosif Al-Hasnawi was shot and killed on Dec. 2 after he tried to help an older man who was being accosted by two men.
The men have since been charged in connection to the death.
But witnesses to the interaction have criticized Hamilton paramedics and police for not taking Al-Hasnawi seriously when he said he was in pain.
Hamilton police say the Niagara Regional Police Service will conduct the investigation to ensure an impartial investigation is conducted.
Police say they won't provide any further comment while the investigation is ongoing.
NEWSTALK 1010's Chief Legal Analyst Ed Prutschi says while the investigation is in its early stages, it could potentially have far-reaching consequences.
"If the argument is that paramedics attended on scene and didn't do what they were trained to do and what they're paid to do and what they're supposed to do, then that's a level of failure that ultimately results in somebody dying, it could well be criminal conduct."
He says cases like this are unusual.
"I can't think of the last time or any time that a paramedic or first responder was charged criminally with failing to provide appropriate care -- if you put it that way."
Prutschi says it will be up to Niagara Police to evaluate whether any criminal charges should be laid.