No charges have been approved against a Vancouver Police Department officer in the wake of a May 5, 2022, fatal shooting, the BC Prosecution Service said March 18.
The service said the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) did an investigation into the shooting.
“The chief civilian director of the IIO determined that there were reasonable grounds to believe the officer may have committed offences and submitted a report to the BCPS,” said the service.
However, the BCPS has concluded that the available evidence does not meet its charge assessment standard.
“There is no substantial likelihood of conviction for any criminal offence in relation to the incident,” the service said. “As a result, no charges have been approved.”
On Sept. 10, 2024, the IIO said VPD members responded to a complaint from the Patricia Hotel on East Hastings Street on May 5, 2022.
“There was an interaction between police and the man who was the subject of the complaint. Shots were fired by a police officer, and the man sustained fatal gunshot injuries,” said the IIO, noting the man reportedly had a weapon.
The man was declared dead at the scene.
Upon completion of the investigation, interim chief civilian director Sandra J. Hentzen reviewed the evidence and determined reasonable grounds existed to believe that one officer may have committed offences in relation to the use of force.
As a result, the IIO forwarded a report to the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.
