IIO clears Prince George RCMP following death of man in March 2023

Statements of six civilian witnesses and seven witness police officers;
Police computer-aided dispatch and police records information management environment records;
audio recordings of 911 calls and police radio transmissions;
forensic scene and exhibit examinations, including firearms examinations;
BC Emergency Health Services records; and
Autopsy and toxicology reports.

The investigation revealed that police received a 911 call from a family member of the man who died, saying that he was suicidal and that he wanted a cop to shoot him. RCMP members were aware that he had a history of mental illness. They were also aware he had been involved in an incident in 2018 in which he had threatened police officers with a knife, apparently attempting to have then shoot him.

When officers found the man in his car, they say he appeared calm at first but then charged an officer “with a purpose and with a knife in his hand. He was shot at a short time later. The deceased man’s knife was later located on the shoulder of the highway. An autopsy report notes three gunshot wounds, two in the chest and one in the back.

The IIO says it was clear from the physical and eyewitness evidence that the officer had reasonable grounds to believe he was threatened with death or grievous bodily harm and that he had not committed an offense.

by Greg Fry

IIO clears Prince George RCMP following death of man in March 2023

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