IIO Files Report with Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding a November 2022 Shooting Incident in Vancouver (2022-313)
Case: 2022-313 Incident Date: November 28, 2022 Agency: Transit Police - SCBCTAPS Location: Vancouver Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Referral to Crown Counsel (RTCC)INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has filed a report with the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges regarding IIO file 2022-313.
At about 10:10 p.m. on November 28, 2022, Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers received a report of a man with a weapon on West Cordova Street.
When officers arrived, VPD officers were joined by members of the Transit Police, and the man was confronted near the intersection of West Cordova and Cambie streets. During the interaction that followed, a member of the Transit Police discharged their service pistol.
Emergency Health Services attended, and the man was transported to a local hospital for treatment of gunshot-related injuries.
Upon completion of the investigation, Interim Chief Civilian Director Sandra Hentzen reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that one officer with the Transit Police may have committed an offence in relation to the use of a firearm. As a result, and pursuant to Section 38.11 of the Police Act, the IIO has forwarded a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.
In order to approve any charges, the BC Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest.
While the matter is with Crown, the IIO will not be making any additional comment about the facts of this case.
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.