IIO is Seeking Witnesses to an Incident in Vancouver (2026-233)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is seeking witnesses to an incident on the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver that occurred on the afternoon of September 18, 2026.

Preliminary information provided by the Vancouver Police Department states that officers were initially called to check on the wellbeing of a man living in Vancouver.

Around 4:30 p.m., officers located the man outside the barrier on the Lions Gate Bridge.

A short time later the man fell from the bridge. Police located him in the water.

The man was pronounced deceased.

The IIO was notified a short time later and has commenced an investigation.

Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the incident on the Lions Gate Bridge to please contact the IIO.

There are two factors that the IIO considers at the beginning of each investigation:

1. If there has been an injury that meets the threshold of serious harm, as defined by the Police Act, or a death; and
2. If there is a connection between the serious harm/death and officer action or inaction.

If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred. At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred.

The IIO asks that any witnesses who have information regarding this matter 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 officers and detention guards in British Columbia. It investigates all incidents involving officers or detention guards that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
info@iiobc.ca