Police got tip about Tokarchuk: mayor

The family of Kevin Tokarchuk is considering legal action after finding out the police may have known the 24-year-old Winnipeg man was the target of a plot to kill him. Tokarchuk was shot in the head in the family garage last week in what police have called a gang retribution killing.

"Somebody dropped the ball here. Somebody has made a grave mistake," says Tokarchuk family spokesman Jack McLaughlin.

McLaughlin says the family is confused and wants answers. He says questions arose after police spoke with the family members. Officers met with them after media outlets reported officers received an informant's tip about a plot to kill Kevin.

"The justice system has a lot of washing to do on their hands. Yes, they do. There's as much blood on their hands, if what is said is proven, as the criminals who did it themselves."

Tokarchuk was gunned down a year to the day known gang member Trevor Savoie was killed. Tokarchuk's brother Daniel is charged with Savoie's murder.

McLaughlin says police have now told the family they consulted with the crown months ago about the information officers received. Winnipeg Mayor Glen Murray admits police received the tip, but denies any crown involvement.

"The crown was not advised the particular details of this," Murray told CBC. "We have not ascertained what exactly was said to the police officers and where that information went."

A statement from the crown attorney's office also denies its lawyers were consulted. The mayor says the internal investigation unit of the Winnipeg police has launched an investigation into the matter. The review is expected to be concluded by the end of the week.

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