IIO to File Report with Crown Counsel for Consideration of Charges Regarding July 2021 Shooting Incident in Campbell River (2021-179)
Case: 2021-179 Incident Date: July 8, 2021 Location: Campbell River Detachment: Campbell River Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Death Case Status: Referral to Crown Counsel (RTCC)INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC will file a report with the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges regarding IIO file 2021-179.
Just before 5:30 a.m. on July 8, 2021, an officer attempted to check a parked dark blue Audi. The Audi drove away, and there was contact between the Audi and police vehicle. The officer did not pursue but advised other officers.
At about 9:00 a.m., police again located the Audi. Officers stopped the Audi in the drive-through of a business in the 2000-block of South Island Highway. During the interaction that followed, shots were fired by police, and the man was subsequently pronounced deceased.
As releasing the details of the interaction could prejudice a potential prosecution, more information will not be provided at this time.
Upon completion of the investigation, Chief Civilian Director Ronald J. MacDonald, KC, reviewed the evidence and determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe that three officers may have committed offences in relation to various uses of force. As a result, and pursuant to Section 38.11 of the Police Act, the IIO is preparing a report to be submitted to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges in the coming months.
In order to approve any charges, the BC Prosecution Service must be satisfied that there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest.
While the matter is with Crown, the IIO will not be making any additional comment about the facts of this case.
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.