IIO Urges Witnesses to Come Forward

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

SURREY –Tomorrow, Saturday Nov. 29, IIO investigators will be in the area of last Saturday’s shooting near E. 41 Ave. and Knight Street in Vancouver and want to speak to potential witnesses.

At approximately 5:00 p.m. last Saturday, officers from the Vancouver Police Department responded to a complaint near this busy intersection. They encountered an adult male who according to police and witnesses in the area, was distraught and did not follow police officers’ commands.

He was shot and did not survive his injuries. He has been identified by the BC Coroners Service as 51 year old Phoung Na “Tony” Du.

IIO investigators were deployed immediately and conducted standard activities that included securing any physical evidence from the scene, identifying subject and witness officers, canvassing the area for witnesses and completing the notification of the next of kin to Mr. Du’s family.

On Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, with the assistance of local media outlets, the IIO made a public plea for witnesses. Many witnesses have come forward and have been interviewed by IIO investigators. In addition, video recordings and still photographs have been provided to investigators. Their information has been significantly helpful to the IIO investigation this week.

The IIO has confirmed a significant number of other witnesses observed the interactions that took place between 4:40 and 5:00 p.m. These witnesses were in the area on foot and were also there using local transit. Some of these witnesses were observed taking videos on their phones as they waited for a bus.

It is critical that the IIO speak with these witnesses. Investigators will be returning to the area this Saturday between 4 and 6 p.m. and will be highly visible near E.41 Ave. and Knight Street. Investigators will be speaking with residents and travellers in the area. Information sheets will be handed out with contact information on how to reach the IIO.

The IIO’s Manager for Services to Affected Persons will be there along with other Public Accountability staff. They will be able to answer any questions people may have about the IIO investigative process and next steps.

The IIO is committed to conducting fair, competent and unbiased investigations and to transparency through public reporting.

Contact:

Kellie Kilpatrick
Kellie.Kilpatrick@iiobc.ca