Surrey RCMP not responsible for teen’s shooting death: Independent Investigations Office

SURREY (NEWS1130) — The “tragic” shooting death of a 17-year-old boy in Surrey earlier this month “was not the result of any actions or inaction” by RCMP, according to the province’s police watchdog.

The Independent Investigations Office was called to look into an incident in the Fleetwood area on Oct. 8.

Surrey RCMP were called to a robbery in progress around 2 a.m., shots were fired, and the 17-year-old boy was taken to hospital soon after.

The IIO says video from the scene “conclusively demonstrates” what happened.

“Video shows that an officer arrived at the location in a marked police SUV and before the vehicle came to a stop, the young man fired two shots, both of which struck the front of the police SUV. Immediately after firing at the police vehicle, the video then shows that the youth turned the gun on himself,” reads a release.

“At the same time, the police SUV stopped before quickly reversing away from the young man. It is clear based on the video evidence that at no point does the officer withdraw or discharge their firearm.”

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The 17-year-old died on Oct. 11.

The BC Coroners Service and Surrey RCMP investigations into the “circumstances surrounding the young man’s death” are ongoing.

The “tragic” shooting death of a 17-year-old boy in Surrey earlier this month “was not the result of any actions or inaction” by RCMP, according to the province’s police watchdog. https://t.co/ZhsUM01R2y pic.twitter.com/a9ACj0ATTF

— CityNews 1130 Vancouver (Inactive) (@news1130) October 17, 2020