IIO Releases Jurisdiction of Fatal Incident in Coquitlam (2016-208)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey – The Independent Investigation Office of B.C. has completed its investigation of a fatal incident in Coquitlam and will be releasing jurisdiction.

The IIO’s investigation has concluded that the male affected person’s death is not connected to actions or inactions of police.

At around 11 p.m. on Wednesday October 19, Coquitlam RCMP officers responded to a number of calls regarding a male who was reported to be trying to break into homes on Balmoral Drive in Coquitlam. Police located the male who appeared to be in crisis and severely injured inside a residence. A conducted energy weapon (Taser) was deployed once and the male was taken into custody. Soon after being taken into custody the male went into medical distress, B.C. Emergency Health Services attended and transported the male to hospital where he later died.

IIO investigators have interviewed civilian and police witnesses, collected physical evidence from the scene, reviewed 911 reports, radio transmission and tested the Taser to independently corroborate the actions of police.

The IIO investigation has concluded that the injuries that caused the fatality occurred prior to police contact and the deployment of the Taser.

The Police Act requires the IIO to investigate incidents where there is serious harm as a result of police action. The IIO’s investigation concluded that there is no causal connection between any of the actions of police and the death of the affected person. As such the IIO will be releasing jurisdiction of this matter.

The IIO will not be providing the identity of the deceased; this remains the responsibility of the B.C. Coroners Service.

Marten Youssef
Acting Director, Public Engagement & Policy
Marten.Youssef@iiobc.ca

Aidan Buckley
Communications & Stakeholder Relations Liaison
Aidan.Buckley@iiobc.ca