The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has now completed its investigation into the death of a youth following a police-involved shooting incident in Creston in 2022.
An IIO release issued Tuesday, June 11, reported that the Interim Chief Civilian Director has reviewed the evidence surrounding the incident — including video footage, forensic scene analysis, witness statements and police reports – and determined that there are no reasonable grounds to believe any officer may have committed an offence.
At about 3:35 a.m. on December 14, 2022, police were checking a black pickup truck that had driven into the driveway of a residence in the 3400 block of View Road. According to a previous media release from the IIO, a Creston RCMP officer was approaching a truck parked in a driveway at approximately 3:35 a.m. Dec. 14 when it began reversing into him.
The truck reportedly struck the officer. The RCMP officer then fired his gun at the driver of the vehicle. The truck then drove off.
The pickup was located a short distance away on Highway 3A near Mather Road. Medical assistance was provided to the young male driver, but he was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene.
Video and physical evidence shows that at the time the shots were fired, the pickup truck posed a risk of grievous bodily harm or death to the officer.
The IIO investigation is now concluded.
Due to concurrent court proceedings, the IIO’s public report will not be published until that process is concluded.
The IIO is the Independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
