Saeid Ghavami and Shahla Shojaei, two scientists from the University of Manitoba, have filed a lawsuit against the City of Winnipeg following a tactical police raid on their home. The couple alleges that officers mistakenly stormed their Pembina Highway condominium on January 31, 2025, causing severe psychological trauma and financial loss.
The Fourth-Floor Mistake on Pembina Highway
The incident began as a planned "no-knock" or dynamic tactical operation by the Winnipeg Police Service. According to the statement of claim, the operation was intended to target an individual associated with a unit on the third floor of a condominium complex on Pembina Highway. However, the tactical team mistakenly rappelled from the roof onto the fourth-floor balcony of the residence belonging to Saeid Ghavami and Shahla Shojaei.
The filing describes a violent entry involving the use of diversionary explosive devices, commonly known as flash-bangs, and the destruction of the patio door.. As the report says, Ghavami was near the patio area during the breach and believed he was under a violent attack and facing imminent risk of death or serious bodily harm before officers realized they had entered the wrong unit.
A $135,000 Loss and the Canadian Cancer Research Society Grant
Beyond the immediate physical shock, the lawsuit highlights significant professional and financial fallout for the University of Manitoba academics. Saeid Ghavami alleges that the disruption caused by the raid resulted in the loss of an operating grant from the Canadian Cancer Research Society valued at approximately $135,000. the claim further asserts that Ghavami lost additional academic and professional opportunities as a direct result of the incident.
The physical state of the home also added to the distress .. The plaintiffs state that the Winnipeg Police Service left the unit unsecured and filled with broken glass and debris. according to the filing, the couple was not offered immediate medical assessments or temporary housing, and the unit was only boarded up against the winter cold after the residents objected to the unsafe conditions.
Trauma and the Iranian Refugee Experience
The legal action emphasizes that the psychological impact of the raid was magnified by the couple's personal history. saeid Ghavami and Shahla Shojaei immigrated to Canada from Iran, a country where they had previously experienced war and conflict. The lawsuit argues that the City of Winnipeg should have understood that a violent tactical entry into an innocent home could cause profound retraumatization for individuals with such backgrounds.
This case reflects a broader, recurring tension regarding the use of "no-knock" warrants in North American policing. While designed to prevent the destruction of evidence or protect officers,these high-intensity entries frequently result in catastrophic errors when addresses are misidentified. For the plaintiffs in this case, the experience has manifested as ongoing distress and flashbacks for Shahla Shojaei and acute stress for Saeid Ghavami.
Who are the 'John and Jane Doe' Officers?
A significant portion of the legal battle remains centered on unidentified actors. The statement of claim names the City of Winnipeg as a defendant, but it also lists several unidentified Winnipeg Police Service officers, commanders , and personnel as "John and Jane Does." It remains unclear exactly how many officers were involved in the rappelling operation or who authorized the specific target unit.
Furthermore, the source notes a lack of immediate response from the defendants. A spokesperson for the City of Winnipeg stated that the city has not yet been served with the claim, and the Winnipeg Police Service has declined to comment while the matter is before the Court of King's Bench of Manitoba. This leaves open the question of whether the poice department's internal verification protocols for floor and unit numbers were followed or if a systemic failure in communication led to the fourth-floor breach.
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