IIO Reopens Investigation into Death of One Man in McLeod Lake (2023-248)
Case: 2023-248 Incident Date: August 15, 2023 Detachment: Mackenzie Location: McLeod Lake Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Open - Investigation in ProgressINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is reopening the investigation into the death of one man during an incident in McLeod Lake near Mackenzie (IIO 2023-248).
In a recent meeting with the family and community of the deceased, additional lines of inquiry were identified with regards to the August 15, 2023 incident that resulted in the death of one man.
Therefore, the IIO investigation has been reopened to pursue this additional information and ensure all facts of potential evidentiary value have been exhausted.
As in every IIO investigation, the totality of the evidence gathered will then be analyzed to determine whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that any officer may have committed an offence.
Incident Summary
On August 15, 2023, members of the RCMP responded to a residence in a rural area in McLeod Lake near Mackenzie following reports that inside was an armed man who had been uttering threats towards others earlier in the day. Police were present for several hours and reportedly attempted various methods to resolve the situation during that time.
The man was subsequently found deceased within the residence.
The IIO is asking any person who saw the man’s interactions with police or has other relevant information about the incident 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.