The parents of an international student from Nigeria say Winnipeg police failed to “protect and serve” their son who was experiencing a “mental breakdown” when officers responded to a well-being call and fatally shot the 19-year-old on New Year’s Eve.

The parents of Afolabi Stephen Opaso say the way police handled the situation with their son while he was in distress represents a “grave injustice” and signals the need for systemic changes to “prevent similar tragedies in the future.”

“The circumstances surrounding our son’s death are profoundly distressing, as he was experiencing a mental breakdown at the time of the incident,” says a statement from the Opasos sent via email on Monday.

“Mental health challenges should be met with empathy, understanding and appropriate response, yet the events that unfolded demonstrate a failure in the system designed to protect and serve.”