IIO Concludes Investigation into January 2025 Death in Powell River (2025-020)

Case: 2025-020 Incident Date: January 21, 2025 Location: Powell River Detachment: Powell River Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - Without Public Report

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has now completed its investigation into a January 21 death in Powell River.

At about 10:40 a.m. on January 21, 2025, officers responded to a request to check on the wellbeing of a man living in the 4500 block of Golden Avenue. The officers spoke to the man before leaving, having determined there were no grounds to apprehend him.

The man met with other non-police professionals during the hours that followed, and their statements to IIO investigators confirm they did not believe the man was at risk of harming himself.

Later the same day just before 6:00 p.m., police received another call about the man, this time that he intended to harm himself and was armed. Police responded, including members of the Emergency Response Team, and attempted to speak to the man for the next three hours.

At about 9:15 p.m., the man sustained a self-inflicted injury. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The IIO was notified of the death shortly after it happened and began an investigation.

The chief civilian director has reviewed the evidence, including non-police statements, medical and scene evidence, and police reports, and determined that there are no reasonable grounds to believe any officer may have committed an offence.

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.

info@iiobc.ca

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