IIO is Seeking Witnesses to an Arrest in Vancouver (2024-182)
Case: 2024-182 Incident Date: August 2, 2024 Agency: Municipal Location: Vancouver Detachment: Vancouver Police Department 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 the circumstances of the death of one man in Vancouver.
Information provided by the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) states that at about 5:20 p.m. yesterday (August 2, 2024), VPD officers were flagged down for a male causing a disturbance on the north side of East Hastings Street between Columbia and Carrall streets.
The man was taken into custody by police, and shortly after went into medical distress.
Emergency Health Services and Vancouver Fire Services attended to provide medical assistance, but the man was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.
The IIO was notified of the incident the same day and commenced an investigation. Initial investigative steps will focus on what role, if any, police actions or inaction may have played in the death.
The IIO is asking any person who saw the arrest or who has video footage to please 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.