IIO Releases Jurisdiction of Fatal Quesnel Incident (2017-121)

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Quesnel – The Independent Investigation Office of B.C. has completed its investigation of a fatal incident in Quesnel and will be releasing jurisdiction. The IIO’s investigation has concluded there is no connection between death of the female affected person and actions or inactions of police.

Background

At 4:20 a.m. on Sunday, October 1, 2017, Quesnel RCMP responded to a report of an assault involving a male and a female in the 800 block of Front Street. During the course of the investigation it was determined the female victim of the alleged assault was in breach of a court-imposed condition and was subsequently arrested by officers.

The female was transported to the local detachment where Emergency Health Services examined her and recommended she be taken to a local hospital. Shortly thereafter, it was determined she should be transported to a larger hospital for treatment. The female was pronounced deceased on October 2, 2017.

Investigation

Five IIO investigators were deployed to the scene in Quesnel. IIO investigators have interviewed civilian witnesses; have obtained physical evidence from the scene; and have reviewed video evidence, 911 reports, and medical reports.

The Police Act requires the IIO to investigate incidents where there is serious harm or death as a result of police action. Our investigation concluded that there is no 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.

As the original matter is now under investigation by the RCMP, no further information will be released by the IIO at this time.

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

Shannon Brennan
Communications & Stakeholder Relations Liaison
Shannon.Brennan@iiobc.ca