IIO investigating fatal police-involved shooting in Surrey

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO), the province’s police watchdog, says it is looking into a fatal shooting Friday evening.

The Surrey Police Service (SPS) says it was called to an address on 100th Avenue near 139th Street around 9 p.m. to arrest a person living there on an outstanding warrant.

Police say they were confronted with a weapon when they tried to take the person into custody.

“Officers fired weapons, including a duty pistol, and the person suffered a serious injury and did not survive,” the SPS said.

Emergency Health Services crews were called in, but the person died at the scene.

The IIO says it was notified and began its investigation that evening.

“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 said.

Anyone who witnessed the event or may have video footage is asked to call the IIO Witness Line at 1-855-446-8477 or use the contact form at the iiobc.ca website.

The IIO is the province’s independent civilian oversight agency that investigates all police-involved incidents that result in death or serious harm, regardless of whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.