Shootings in Salmon Arm and Port Hardy

INFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

SURREY – The Independent Investigations Office of BC is seeking witnesses to two recent officer involved shootings in Salmon Arm and Port Hardy.

On Saturday, July 4, 2015, IIO investigators arrived in Salmon Arm in response to a non-fatal police shooting that occurred the previous day. Investigators returned to Surrey late Tuesday evening after completing standardized tasks including designating officers; interviewing witnesses; seizing physical evidence and making contact with the affected person.

Yesterday, July 8, 2015, the IIO was notified of a fatal police shooting in Port Hardy. Shortly after 11:00 a.m., officers were responding to a complaint of a male causing a disturbance. Police located the affected person and during this interaction, the affected person was shot. He did not survive his injuries.

IIO resources in Port Hardy include: the IIO Team Director, a Forensic Specialist, the Manager for Services for Affected Persons, the Family Liaison Specialist, the Primary Investigator and several other investigative staff.  The team is supported by additional resources in Surrey.

One subject officer from the Port Hardy RCMP has been designated. Two witness officers have also been designated and interviewed. The scene examination is almost complete; significant physical evidence has been seized by the IIO. Today, IIO investigators will be focusing on interviewing civilian witnesses and reviewing any cell phone video.

The next of kin notification is now complete. Any information related to the deceased will be released by the BC Coroners Service at their discretion.

In both cases, in Salmon Arm and Port Hardy, the IIO believes additional witnesses may have been in the area where the two incidents took place, in particular, Bernie Road and Highway 1 near Canoe; and the intersection of Granville Street, just west of the 4-way stop intersection at the Island Highway in Port Hardy. Anyone with information is asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.

Independent Investigations Office
Kellie.Kilpatrick@iiobc.ca
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