IIO is Investigating an Incident in Lake Cowichan (2022-315)

Case: 2022-315 Incident Date: November 29, 2022 Location: Lake Cowichan Detachment: North Cowichan/Duncan 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 Lake Cowichan where one man died.

Information provided by the RCMP indicates that at about 2:25 p.m. on November 29, 2022, police responded to a call regarding an alleged armed robbery by a man driving a black Toyota Tacoma. The Tacoma was observed a short time later driving through Duncan, and it is reported that officers lost sight of the truck around 3:00 p.m.

The Tacoma was subsequently located at about 4:00 p.m. parked in an eastbound lane along Highway 18 about five kilometres east of Lake Cowichan. At approximately 4:45 p.m., it is reported that officers found the man was deceased inside from an injury that appears to have been self-inflicted.

The IIO has commenced an investigation to determine what role, if any, police actions or inactions may have played in the death.

The IIO is asking any person with relevant information or video footage regarding 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.

info@iiobc.ca

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