B.C.'s Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has confirmed that a man who died in a shooting in Port Coquitlam on Father's Day did not kill himself.
The IIO also revealed a relative of the dead man was also seriously hurt at the same Mary Hill location several hours later.
Both June 18 incidents involved the Coquitlam RCMP and the IIO is looking into them separately, spokesperson Marten Youssef confirmed.
"The focus of the investigation now is the determining whether police action lawful, proportionate or reasonable or whether any offence may have been committed," he said.
Initial reports made to the IIO by the RCMP suggested the distraught man may have shot himself following an exchange of gunfire with police. But Monday, the IIO confirmed results of an autopsy showed the man's death was not self-inflicted.
Several hours after the first shooting, a second incident occurred involving a male relative of the dead man who suffered serious injuries in an interaction with police.
Youssef said the IIO is investigating that incident as well, with file number IIO 2017-066
"The witnesses to both incidents are being asked to call the IIO witness line," Youssef said.
There were no other injuries to police or bystanders during the incident, which took place in the 2100-block of Audrey Drive in the Mary Hill neighbourhood and lasted for several hours, involving a heavy police presence.
Youssef said the investigation could take 14 to 18 months. If it’s determined police acted wrongly, the case is then referred to Crown counsel to decide if charges should be laid.
Witnesses are asked to contact the IIO BC at 1-855-446-8477.
