The RCMP logo is seen outside the force’s ‘E’ division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on March 16, 2023. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck
B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office is asking witnesses to come forward as it investigates the recent fatal shooting of a man by B.C. RCMP.
The shooting occurred on July 21 at a shopping plaza in North Vancouver after police responded to reports of a man armed with an “edged weapon” who was threatening members of the public inside a business, the RCMP said in a news release issued that day.
The man then left the business, got into a vehicle in the parking lot, and hit several parked vehicles before getting out and entering the driver’s seat of an unoccupied police cruiser, according to police.
Video of the incident shows police ordering the man to exit the vehicle while holding the cruiser door open. One officer then deploys a Taser against the man, followed shortly after by a second officer firing multiple rounds at the suspect at close range.
Officers are then seen dragging the man out of the vehicle and handcuffing him on the ground as an ambulance siren is heard in the distance.
Police said the man was taken to a local hospital by ambulance but later died. None of the officers responding to the incident were injured.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO BC) is an independent civilian agency that is in charge of investigating police-involved incidents that lead to serious injuries or death.
The IIO investigates all such incidents regardless of whether or not there are any allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing.
The watchdog says they were notified shortly after the shooting on July 21 and sent IIO agents to the scene.
IIO said the scene of the shooting was secured by their agents who have started gathering evidence and conducting an investigation into the conduct of the responding officers.
The agency is asking anyone who saw the incident or has video footage to contact them. Once the investigation is completed, the IIO’s chief civilian director will issue a decision as to whether there are reasonable grounds to suspect an officer may have committed an offence.
The RCMP has said it won’t release any further details while the IIO investigation is ongoing. The identity and age of the man who was killed have not been released by authorities.
