It was an emotional day at the inquest into the death of 15-year-old Chase De Balinhard Monday, as his mother took the stand.

Fighting through tears, Crystal De Balinhard shared memories of her son, his struggles with autism, and the events leading up to the day he was shot and killed by RCMP officers.

An overflow room was needed as family and supporters filled the courtroom.

She described Feb. 9, 2025, as a good day with family. As Chase was leaving for a rare outing with friends, Crystal and her husband Rick kissed him goodbye, and she told him she loved him. He told her he loved them too.

She later rushed to the scene after learning something had happened near the school.

Crystal described desperately trying to get close enough to say goodbye, while feeling the family was given very little information about what had happened.

She went into a detailed account of Chase’s medical history and diagnoses with autism, ADHD, XYY syndrome, and OCD.

Chase had struggled with social cues, multiple instructions, loud noises, and aggressive tones, she said.

She described a detailed safety plan developed to help Chase manage moments of distress. That plan emphasized calm communication, giving him space, using his name, and allowing him time to regulate.

Crystal said those are important lessons police officers need to understand, saying this inquest isn’t “us against them.”

She called for more training to help first responders recognize signs of distress in autistic individuals and suggested a voluntary registry that could alert police when someone may have additional communication needs.

She says the focus needs to be on better communication, education, and giving officers the tools to recognize and respond to neurodivergent people.

Crystal also spoke directly to the jury about the life Chase should have had. She said he wanted to get a job, get married, and have a future.

She also testified about Chase’s previous expressions of suicidal thoughts, including thoughts involving a firearm. She told the jury of an inherited revolver that was kept locked in her husband’s office, with the key secured in a safe.

The inquest continued with Chase’s psychiatrist, Dr. Patricia Frew. Counsel for the RCMP and Surrey Police Service questioned Chase’s suicidal tendencies.

Frew said Chase’s suicidal thoughts were “passive,” which means there was no intent to act on his thoughts, and that it was his way of expressing his distress.

Through a detailed recount of her three years treating Chase, Frew said there were various incidents of him acting out verbally, at home and school, but she concluded that he posed no risk to others and that his treatment was showing slow improvements.

The inquest will continue with testimony from Chase’s teacher, experts in firearms and de-escalation training, as well as the 911 operator who took the initial call on the day that Chase was killed.