SURREY Police Service has notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident in Surrey where an individual has died.
On Friday, January 31 shortly after 9 p.m., Surrey Police Service frontline officers attended a residence near 139 Street and 100 Avenue to arrest an individual on an outstanding warrant. As they attempted to arrest them, the person reportedly confronted officers with a weapon. Officers fired weapons, including a duty pistol, and the person suffered a serious injury and did not survive.
Officers and BC EHS paramedics attempted to administer life-saving medical interventions, but the person died at scene.
The IIO BC said on Saturday it was notified after the incident the same day and has commenced an investigation. Initial investigative steps will confirm the details of the interaction between the person and officers, and determine if police actions were necessary, reasonable, and proportionate in the circumstances.
The IIO is requesting any witnesses and those who have video footage of the incident, to contact it at its Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.