IIO is Investigating an Incident in Courtney (2020-124)

Case: 2020-124 Incident Date: June 9, 2020 Location: Courtenay Detachment: Courtenay 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 is investigating an incident in Courtney.

Information provided by the RCMP indicates that on June 9, 2020 at approximately 10:50 p.m., officers responded to a call from a person concerned about the health and safety of a man, the affected person in this case, who the caller reported was armed with a weapon.

Officers attended the man’s location at a hotel on the 1100-block of Cliffe Avenue where he reportedly initially communicated with police, and then discontinued communications. Officers report he then returned to the door with a weapon. Despite officer attempts to de-escalate the situation, it is reported the man harmed himself with the weapon and passed away at the scene.

The IIO will investigate to determine what role, if any, the officers’ actions or inaction may have played in the death of the man. The BC Coroners Service is also conducting an independent investigation to determine how, where, when and by what means he came to his death.

The IIO is asking that any person who saw, heard or recorded the incident to contact the IIO Witness Line toll free at 1-855-446-8477.

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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