The family of the man shot and killed by Hamilton police on Saturday has identified him as Erixon Kabera – a father of three known for his kindness and devotion to Hamilton’s Rwandan community.

His wife, Lydia Nimbeshaho, told CBC News her family is devastated and demanding answers. She was not at Kabera’s apartment at the time of the shooting, but went after him to see him at the hospital.

“They killed him like an animal… I don’t even know how I’m going to live with this,” she said in an interview.

The province’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), is investigating the shooting at an apartment building on Hamilton’s west side. He did not confirm that Kabera was the victim.

Hamilton police declined to comment on the family’s statement, citing the SIU investigation. Spokeswoman Jackie Penman said the person who called police reported a man was “at their door believed to have a handgun.”

The SIU said in a statement that Hamilton officers responded to reports of a man “acting in a threatening manner” and shots were fired.

One police officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries, the SIU said, and was released from hospital, while the man died at 1am on Sunday from a gunshot wound.

The SIU denies the “exchange of gunfire” claim.

The SIU initially said there was an “exchange of gunfire”, then later issued a statement saying that based on further investigation, it did not appear the man discharged a firearm, but rather two officers by the police.

Nimbeshaho said she and her family were “very upset” with the way the case was handled.

“We find that reversal of crucial facts, a full day after we told the whole world otherwise and painted a picture of violence for our own, deeply scandalous and disturbing,” Kabera’s family said in a statement.

“We are firm in our belief that Erixon was not armed and would not act in a way that warrants this outcome.”

The SIU said Monday that its initial statement was based on preliminary information, and an update was provided after further investigation.

A replica gun was later recovered at the scene, the SIU said.

His family says Kabera, 43, did not own a gun and had no history of violence.

“He was a peaceful man who valued harmony and community, making this statement deeply difficult to reconcile with the person I knew and loved,” they said in a statement.

Kabera worked as a resource officer at the Canada Revenue Agency and was “deeply involved” in the Rwandan community, his family said in a statement. Along with his role as an advisor to the Canadian Rwanda Healing Centre, he served as Vice President of the Toronto Rwandan Community Abroad.

“Erixon Kabera was a remarkable man whose life was dedicated to love, service and compassion,” the family said in a statement.

“We miss him deeply and are only seeking the truth to honor his memory.”

The SIU continues to investigate.

A rally in Kabera’s honor will be held at Hamilton City Hall on Thursday at 6pm, and supporters have launched an online fundraising campaign to help his family.