Young girl identified as victim who died after shootout involving police in Nunavik

MONTREAL — Authorities in Quebec’s Nunavik region say the person who died 10 days after an exchange of gunfire involving the Nunavik Police Service on Dec. 20 was a young girl.

Maggie Emudluk, Kativik Regional Government chairperson, says in a statement the girl was an innocent victim of a sad tragedy.

Quebec’s police watchdog confirmed Tuesday that one of two civilians who were seriously injured during the Nunavik Police Service intervention in Inukjuak had died.

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes had said officers exchanged gunshots with an individual outside a home in the community just after 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 20.

Inukjuak Mayor Bobby Epoo had previously identified the injured parties as a man in his 30s and a six-year-old girl.

Authorities have not said how the young girl sustained her injuries, including whether she was hit by a police bullet.

The 35-year-old man who allegedly exchanged fire with police was arrested and is facing charges that include illegally possessing a firearm.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 31, 2025.

The Canadian Press