The investigation into the death of a man who allegedly shot himself during a standoff with police has been reopened by the police watchdog.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of British Columbia announced on Monday that they will be taking a second look at the case of a man who died in a confrontation with police in 2019.
The incident occurred on October 12, 2019, when police responded to a call about a man who was reportedly armed and making threats at a residence in Surrey, BC. The man, who has not been identified, barricaded himself inside the home and refused to come out.
After several hours of negotiation, police entered the residence and found the man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
At the time, the IIO was called in to investigate the incident, as is standard procedure in cases where there is a death or serious injury involving police. However, the investigation was closed in December 2019 after the IIO determined that there was no evidence of police wrongdoing.
But now, the IIO has decided to reopen the investigation after receiving new information about the case. The details of this new information have not been disclosed.
In a statement, the IIO said that they will be conducting a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. They have also requested that anyone with information about the incident come forward and speak to their investigators.
The decision to reopen the investigation has been welcomed by the family of the deceased man, who have been seeking answers about what happened that day.
“We are grateful that the IIO has decided to take a second look at this case,” said the family’s lawyer, who has been advocating for the investigation to be reopened. “We believe that there are still unanswered questions and we hope that this new information will shed light on what really happened.”
The IIO has assured the public that they will be conducting a thorough and impartial investigation, and that their findings will be made public once the investigation is complete.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of independent oversight in cases involving police use of force. The IIO was created in 2012 to provide impartial and transparent investigations into incidents involving police officers in British Columbia.
Their role is crucial in maintaining public trust and accountability in the justice system, and the decision to reopen this investigation shows their commitment to ensuring that all cases are thoroughly examined.
As the investigation continues, the IIO has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist in their investigation. The family of the deceased man also encourages anyone with information to speak up and help bring closure to this tragic event.
