The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating after a Clayton Heights high-school student died over the weekend after a confrontation with police that led to officers opening fire.

B.C. RCMP said they received to a call around 2:40 p.m. Sunday about a distressed person who was reported to have a firearm in the schoolyard in the 7000 block of 188th Street in Surrey

After what the RCMP described as an “extensive interaction,” they opened fire in a residential area of 185th Street and 70th Avenue.

Sunrise

Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion.Sign Up

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

Paramedics were standing by and immediately moved in to provide medical help, but the person died. No one else was injured.

Asked about reports the person shot went to nearby Clayton Heights Secondary, a spokesperson for the Surrey school district confirmed a student from the high school “sadly passed away over the weekend.”

Counsellors were at Clayton Heights to support staff, students and the community, said the district.

Spokesperson Rena Heer said the teen attended the school about three blocks from where the shooting happened.

Article content

Article content

“The shooting did not happen on school property,” she said. “It wasn’t on school time or on school property. It happened on Sunday afternoon.”

She said for “safety and privacy reasons,” she could provide no information about the student.

RCMP refused Monday to confirm the age of the person who was shot, nor would they elaborate on what the “extensive interaction” between police and the individual entailed or whether a firearm was found on the individual.

“As you know, here in B.C., police-involved shootings (or other police-related incidents resulting in death or serious harm) are investigated independently by the IIO B.C.,” said RCMP Staff Sgt. Kris Clark in an email.

Stories You May Like

1. Fraudsters target Richmond Chinese community with telecom scam
2. Judge tosses drug evidence for ‘flagrant’ rights violations by RCMP

“While we will release very basic details at the outset to advise when an incident has been referred to them, ultimately they are responsible for public communications as the lead investigative agency. We are mindful not to compromise their investigation as it relates to the actions of our officers.”

The IIO similarly refused to provide any additional information. A press release issued by the agency basically repeated what the RCMP had already said, though the IIO release differed slightly, saying that the distressed individual was reportedly holding a “weapon” and not a “firearm.”

On Monday, a small memorial had begun at the corner near where the shooting took place. A stuffed teddy bear could be seen nestled alongside a bouquet of flowers. A card tucked into the bouquet read: “We love you kiddo. No words!!!”

Trending

1. Meghan Markle shows love to a Canadian brand while in B.C. for Invictus Games
2. This B.C. resort was just named the best in Canada
3. Opinion: Farewell to my American friends. It’s over.
4. Trump tariff threat jolts B.C. NDP government out of indecisiveness
5. IIO investigating death of Surrey high-schooler in confrontation with Mounties

Meanwhile, the IIO was also called to Mission on Sunday afternoon, after police reported an in-custody death.

Abbotsford Police Department officers followed a suspicious vehicle into Mission, where the driver eventually stopped at the Junction Mall complex.

The traffic stop led to an interaction with the vehicle’s occupants, during which a man was arrested and placed in a police vehicle. Shortly after, the man went into medical distress and was pronounced dead in hospital.

The IIO has taken over the investigation and will try to determine whether police actions or inactions contributed to the man’s death.