IIO Concludes Investigation into an Incident in Squamish (2022-301)
Case: 2022-301 Incident Date: November 18, 2022 Agency: RCMP Detachment: Squamish Location: Squamish Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - Without Public ReportINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has concluded investigation 2022-301 into an incident in Squamish where one man died.
At about 11:20 a.m. on November 18, 2022, officers responded to a report that a man was alleged to be smashing items at a business. Police located the man at about 1:20 p.m. in his residential unit located in the 3700-block of 3rd Avenue. As the man was reported to be in possession of a weapon and refused to exit, police attempted to negotiate the man’s exit for several hours.
At about 5:15 p.m., shortly after the man stopped responding to officers, police entered the unit and found the man suffering a self-inflicted injury.
Medical assistance was provided, but the man was pronounced deceased a short time later.
Medical information confirms that the only injury the man sustained that meets the threshold for serious harm as defined by the Police Act was self-inflicted. Accordingly, following a review of the evidence, the Chief Civilian Director has determined that the officers are not responsible for the man’s injury and subsequent death.
The IIO investigation is now concluded.
Background
The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
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