B.C. police oversight body investigating after 2 deaths Sunday

Two Lower Mainland police departments are facing questions from the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) after two deaths on Sunday.

The police oversight body says it was notified by the BC RCMP after a man was shot and killed on Sunday afternoon in the Clayton Heights neighbourhood.

The Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit — the remaining RCMP unit in Surrey — says officers responded to a call about a man in distress in a schoolyard, reportedly with a gun, near 188th Street and 70th Avenue.

After what the Mounties call “an extensive interaction with the man,” they say shots were fired and the man died.

The IIO is now investigating after explaining that those shots were reportedly fired by police.

“The person sustained a gunshot-related injury and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” said a release from the watchdog.

“Initial investigative steps will seek to determine if police actions were necessary, reasonable, and proportionate in the circumstances.”

Investigators are asking for any witnesses or anyone who may have video of the incident to come forward.

Meanwhile, the IIO is also investigating an in-custody death in Mission early Sunday afternoon.

The Abbotsford Police Department says it started following a suspicious vehicle before 2 p.m.

“Officers followed the vehicle into the Mission area, where it eventually stopped at the Junction Mall complex. A traffic stop was conducted, leading to an interaction with the vehicle’s occupants,” said AbbyPD Sgt. Paul Walker, adding one person was arrested and placed in a police vehicle.

“Shortly thereafter, the man went into medical distress. Despite the immediate medical care provided by first responders, the man was pronounced deceased.”

The IIO says it was notified shortly after the death.

“Initial investigative steps will determine if there was any connection between police actions and the man’s death,” said the watchdog in a separate release.

The IIO automatically investigates all police-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.