IIO Deploys to Fatal Incident in Terrace (2016-164)

Case: 2016-164 Incident Date: August 18, 2016 Agency: RCMP Location: Terrace Detachment: Terrace Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - With Public Report

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey – The Independent Investigation Office of B.C. has deployed investigators to a fatal incident involving Terrace RCMP.

Police report that at around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday August 18, 2016 they received a call about a distressed male armed with an axe at the back of the Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace. According to police, during their efforts to negotiate with the male and de-escalate the situation a Conducted Energy Weapon was deployed. The male was apprehended but had suffered injuries and immediate medical care was provided. The male affected person later died in hospital.

IIO Investigators will be conducting investigative tasks including obtaining physical evidence from the scene, interviewing any civilian witnesses and designating and interviewing officers.

The initial focus of the IIO investigation will be to determine if there is a connection between the death of the affected person and the actions or inactions of police.

The IIO will not be providing any information about the deceased; this remains the responsibility of the B.C. Coroners Service.

Any potential witnesses are asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.

No further information or updates will be provided at this time.

 

Background

  • The IIO is an independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer related incidents that result in serious harm or death.
  • In the initial stages of an investigation, the IIO must determine if there is a connection between the serious harm or death and the actions or inactions of police. If there is a connection then the IIO will continue to investigate.
  • If there is no connection between police action or inaction and the serious harm or death then the IIO will release jurisdiction.
  • When the IIO proceeds with an investigation, these investigations end in one of two ways:
    • If the Chief Civilian Director (CCD) of the IIO concludes that an officer may have committed any offence then the CCD will refer this case to Crown counsel for consideration of charges. The IIO does not lay charges.
    • If the CCD concludes that no officer may have committed any offence then a public report will be released on the IIO’s website at www.iiobc.ca. These public reports give an in-depth look at the case and explain the CCD’s rationale for not referring the case to Crown counsel.

Aidan Buckley
Communications & Stakeholder Relations Liaison
Aidan.Buckley@iiobc.ca

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