THE BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced on Thursday that no charges have been
approved against an officer from the Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP) involved in a nonfatal shooting on November 28, 2022.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) conducted an investigation. The Chief Civilian Director of the IIO determined that there were reasonable grounds to believe the officer may have committed offences and submitted a report to the BCPS.
The BCPS said that in this case, it has concluded that the available evidence does not meet its charge assessment standard. There is no substantial likelihood of conviction for any criminal offence in relation to the incident. As a result, no charges have been approved.
According to the overview in the “clear statement,” on November 28, 2022, around 10:15 p.m., a couple called 911 to report that they had been accosted by a “deranged” male carrying a knife in Gastown and that they had seen him punch another person. Other callers reported that this same person had attacked people outside a bar on Abbott Street and was last seen walking down the street with a broken pool cue, being pursued by a bar staff member holding the rest of the pool cue.
Two members of the Metro Vancouver Transit Police (MVTP) heard over their dispatch radio the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) dispatch indicating that the male was walking westbound on West Cordova Street brandishing a weapon, believed to be a knife (later determined to be the pool cue). The MVTP officers attended at the scene to assist the VPD.
Two VPD members were already present. The VPD officers directed the male to drop his weapon, but he did not comply. A VPD officer shot five rounds with their beanbag gun at the male. These rounds had no apparent effect on the male’s behavior. Another VPD officer then drove their police vehicle in between the male and the police officers to create a barrier. The male was struck by the police car at low speed, causing him to briefly stumble. He regained his footing and continued to advance towards the officers, still brandishing the weapon.
A VPD officer attempted another unsuccessful shot at the male with their beanbag gun and, around the same time, an MVTP officer deployed their taser, which was ineffective. The other MTVP officer discharged seven rounds from their firearm. The bullets struck the male, causing him to fall to the ground. The male was given medical attention by police while they awaited the arrival of paramedics. The ambulance arrived and transported the male to hospital where he was treated for serious injuries.
