The provincial police watchdog has found that RCMP officers did not commit any offence when a man was shot and killed at the Departure Bay ferry terminal in May.
A suspect who was being arrested that morning shot himself in the head at the same time that two police officers shot the suspect in the chest with what would have been fatal gunshots, according to a report released today by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C.
害羞草研究所淭he evidence is clear that [the suspect], while surrounded by police, raised his gun and shot himself in the head. That was his only intention,害羞草研究所� notes the IIO report. 害羞草研究所淗owever, as he did this, the gun would have been pointed at several police officers.害羞草研究所�
Police had been advised that a car, reported stolen in a 害羞草研究所渧iolent car-jacking害羞草研究所� in Penticton, had been located on a B.C. Ferries vessel. Police positioned their vehicles and the suspect car was separated from other ferry traffic and 害羞草研究所渇orced to stop.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淸The suspect] reached to the passenger seat of the car, raised a long-barrelled handgun (the pistol) and fatally shot himself in the head. At the same time that [the suspect] raised the pistol, [two] officers 害羞草研究所� commenced firing their nine-millimetre police issue firearms and delivered what would have been fatal gunshot injuries to AP害羞草研究所檚 chest.害羞草研究所�
The report noted that statements were taken from 31 civilian witnesses and 11 police officers.
Also included as evidence gathered during the investigation were, B.C. Emergency Health Services records, recordings of police radio transmissions, B.C. Ferries closed circuit television video, firearms analysis reports, a toxicology report, cell phone video, photographs and medical records.
The reoport notes that the suspect sustained a very serious head injury, and three gunshot wounds to his abdomen, one to his collarbone and one to his left bicep. Paramedics reported the victim had a pulse when checked, but was pronounced dead about 20-30 minutes after being transferred to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
Eight bullet holes were visible in the windshield of the suspect vehicle. Photo from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. report害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所� Nanaimo Bulletin (@NanaimoBulletin)
More to come.
