The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO BC) has initiated an investigation following a tragic incident in Sechelt in the early hours of Saturday.
According to reports, authorities responded to a distress call involving a man with a weapon at a residence on Oldmill Lane near Delta Road around 3:30 a.m. Sunshine Coast RCMP officers located the man at the scene, where he retreated back into the house upon their arrival. The situation involved the presence of other individuals, including children, in the residence. Law enforcement officers engaged with the man, who was believed to be armed, while attempting to defuse the tense circumstances.
In response to the escalating situation, the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team was dispatched to the scene. Subsequently, a police-involved incident took place inside the residence around 10:30 a.m., resulting in the discharge of firearms by the officers, as confirmed by IIO BC.
Despite efforts by BC Emergency Health Services (BC EHS) to administer medical assistance, the man succumbed to his injuries on-site, with no additional casualties reported.
The IIO BC is mandated to investigate incidents involving law enforcement that lead to fatalities or severe harm, regardless of any allegations of misconduct.