David Leclair lies fatally wounded after being shot by a Gatineau police officer on June 28, 2008. The photo was released to Sun Media by the Leclair family. (QMI)

OTTAWA -- The family of an Aylmer man shot dead by a Gatineau cop in June 2008 has released documents and photos they believe justify a public inquiry into the shooting.

David Leclair, 35, was shot three times June 28 outside his home at 16 Conroy St., in Aylmer. The officer was cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation by Quebec provincial police.

In their submission to Quebec's minister of public safety, Leclair's family claims the lone officer at the scene acted with malice. The officer, Pierre-Francios Blais, shot Leclair twice from the side and once in the back, according to the coroner's report released to media by the family Thursday.

The family said a public inquiry is warranted for many reasons. They allege Blais:
-- lost control of the situation
-- didn't wait for back-up
-- didn't investigate before acting
-- and they do not believe there was an arrest warrant for Leclair.

The family also claims Leclair had not committed a crime.

Police were investigating a domestic dispute at the time of the shooting. Blais was at Leclair's home to arrest him based on the complaint.

The chief coroner decided against an inquest in September but the family recently asked Quebec's public safety minister to order a public inquiry. The family has yet to receive an answer, and believes they are being ignored.

They say the coroner only took into account what the police said and did not take evidence from five eyewitnesses who they say give contrary testimony.

They contend Blais attacked Leclair with pepper spray and a baton before shooting him, and that Leclair was unarmed.

The police report says Leclair grabbed a crowbar during the confrontation. Blais used pepper spray, which had no effect on Leclair, so he fired his gun because he felt his safety was at risk, police said in February.

It was ruled the officer used "reasonable force" considering the circumstances.

Photos from the scene, released by the family with the documents, show Leclair lying on the ground with no shirt. In one photo there is blood on his upper arms.

The photos also show police trying to keep family away from Leclair while an officer, who they say is Blais, is next to Leclair.