Two weeks after gunsmith's death, SIU has not interviewed police officer who fired gun

Ontario's police watchdog says itis "about to" contact the Toronto officer at the centre of the investigation into the death ofgunsmith Rodger Kotankoin early November.

Kotanko's family and their lawyer say the two-week wait is "concerning."

Special Investigations Unit (SIU) spokesperson Kristy Denette told CBC Hamilton on Friday the unit hasn'tmade an officialrequest to interview the officer who fired his gunand review his notes but is "in the process" of doing so.

She did not explain why that hadn't been done yet,citing an "active investigation that is in the early stages."

"You would think they would be interviewing himimmediately after it takes place rather than waiting two weeks," Jeffrey Kotanko, Rodger's brother, said in a phone interview Friday afternoon.

He said the officer's memory of the incident may have changed in that time.

Michael Smitiuch, the family's lawyer, saidthe newsadds to a long list of unanswered questions aboutRodger's death on Nov. 3 at his Norfolk County property.

"It is surprising to me that it would take this long for the SIUto reach out to, perhaps, the most crucial witness in this killing," he said Friday afternoon.

"It's concerning thatthis much time would go bybefore they would even make a request."

Toronto police said officersarrived atKotanko'shome on Port Ryerse Road around noon, some in plain clothes and some in tactical gear, on Nov. 3, looking for guns.

Kotankowas inside his gunsmithing workshop and family and friends say the 70-year-oldwas shot when police approached.

Officer in questioncan decline to be interviewed

Denette said the SIUhasinterviewed five of seven witnesspolice officers and two civilian witnesses.

But unlike the witness officers, the male officer who pulled the triggercan choose to skip the interview and not surrender his notes.

Denette said since theofficer is the focus of the investigation, he "is granted the same rights as any citizen under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to protect himself ... from self-incrimination."

The SIU also collectedone police-issued gun which is being analyzed at theCentre of Forensic Sciences, according to Denette.

The centre's websitesaysthat analysis could include determining the trajectory of the bullets andthe distance between the muzzle and target, among other things.

The SIUis still waiting on the autopsy report, butthe unitdoesn't usually release that during its investigations, according to its website. The investigation could last up to four months.

On Thursday, Rodger's family and their lawyer held a press conference on his front lawn to demand answers and honour the 70-year-old father of three.

At least 50 community members attended to support the family.

"He wasn't violent, he wasn't something you should be afraid of," Rodger's sister,Suzanne Kantor, told the crowd.

Smitiuchassured those in attendance the family will not give up.

"This will not be swept under the rug ...we will search for answers and we won't stop untilwe get justice for Rodger."