B.C.’s police watchdog investigation into a fatal police incident in Port Coquitlam has found the man’s death was not self-inflicted.
Police were called to the 2100-block of Audrey Drive after receiving a report of a distraught man threatening to harm himself on June 18. The man allegedly fired shots in the air outside his home just minutes before police were on the scene. When officers arrived, shots were fired by police and the man, who was later found deceased.
Shortly after the shooting, the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) issued a statement saying the investigation would determine if the man’s injuries were self-inflicted or from police.
WATCH MORE: IIO investigating fatal police incident in Port Coquitlam
Following an autopsy, the IIO determined the man’s death was not self-inflicted and on Monday, IIO spokesperson Marten Youssef confirmed he was shot by police.
Youssef also said the IIO is investigating serious injuries suffered by a male relative of the shooting victim and whether he was involved in some sort of physical altercation with the RCMP, which happened a few hours after the shooting. This will be treated as separate investigation.
According to the IIO, their focus will be on whether the police actions were lawful, reasonable or if any offence was committed.
To date, the IIO says they have interviewed about 30 witnesses and six police officers and asks anyone with information to contact the witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
Comments