Update on Fatal Incident in Agassiz (2015-134)

UPDATE: The IIO released jurisdiction of this case on February 16, 2016 as the IIO investigation concluded there was no connection between the death of the affected person and the actions of police.

INFORMATION BULLETIN

Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release

Surrey – The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) confirms investigators are back in the community of Agassiz today. This follows after a critical incident occurred yesterday involving RCMP officers from Chilliwack and Agassiz.

According to the police, officers were responding to a complaint at the Cheam Village independent living facility. There, they came into contact with the subject of the complaint, an elderly male who appeared to be in distress. While officers were taking the male into custody, an officer received a non-life threatening knife injury. The elderly male also sustained what was believed to be self-inflicted injuries. BC Ambulance Service attended and provided emergency medical care.

The male died prior to being transported to hospital. The specific cause and manner of death remain under investigation by the BC Coroners Service, while the IIO investigation focusses on the actions of the police officers.

Investigative tasks are ongoing – including taking statements from civilian witnesses and designating officers. Investigators have recovered several knives from the scene and will determine what forensic analysis is required. The next of kin notifications are now complete. Support will continue to be provided to the family of the deceased throughout the investigative process.

Marten Youssef
Manager, Strategic Communications
Marten.Youssef@iiobc.ca