IIO is Investigating a Police-Involved Shooting Incident in Dawson Creek (2023-338)
Case: 2023-338 Incident Date: November 19, 2023 Location: Dawson Creek Detachment: Dawson Creek Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Open - Investigation in ProgressINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating a police-involved shooting incident in Dawson Creek where one man has died.
Information provided by the RCMP states that at about 11:45 p.m. last night (November 18, 2023), police were at a residential building in the 10600-block of 10th Street looking for an individual as part of an ongoing investigation.
Three women and one man were determined to be inside the unit, and the man was reported to have a weapon. The three women exited the residence, but the man did not.
It is reported that over the next several hours, police made several attempts to have the man exit. At some point, there was reportedly an exchange of gunfire between the man and police.
At about 8:25 a.m. the next morning (November 19, 2023), police entered the residence, and the man was located deceased.
The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred, and initial investigative steps will seek to confirm the details of police actions during the incident and what role, if any, they may have played in the man’s death.
The IIO is asking any person with relevant information or video footage of the incident to please contact the Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.
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.