IIO is Investigating an Incident in Vancouver (2020-292)
Case: 2020-292 Incident Date: November 26, 2020 Agency: Municipal Location: Vancouver Detachment: Vancouver Police Department Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Closed - With Public ReportINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating an incident in Vancouver.
Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department indicates that on November 26, 2020 at approximately 4:15 p.m., a man went into a restroom at a Tim Hortons restaurant near the intersection of Terminal Avenue and Main Street. When the man did not exit after some time, employees at the restaurant called police for assistance.
Upon arrival at about 6:00 p.m., officers reportedly attempted to persuade the man to exit the bathroom. When he did so a short time later, a struggle ensued, and the man became unresponsive. Emergency Health Services arrived and provided medical aid, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The IIO is asking any person who saw, heard or recorded the incident to contact the IIO 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.