Weir 'absolutely' denies racism in Abdi arrest, Montsion begins testimony

One of the Ottawa police officers who arrested Abdirahman Abdi in a violent 2016 altercation that sparked outrage and debate about police handling of Black men after Abdi died the next day says Abdi's race had "absolutely" nothing to do with how he dealt with the 38-year-old Somali Canadian. 

Weir 'absolutely' denies racism in Abdi arrest, Montsion begins testimony
Const. Dave Weir, left, and Const. Daniel Montsion. The Special Investigations Unit has charged Montsion with manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

One of the Ottawa police officers who arrested Abdirahman Abdi in a violent 2016 altercation that sparked outrage and debate about police handling of Black men after Abdi died the next day says Abdi's race had "absolutely" nothing to do with how he dealt with the 38-year-old Somali Canadian.