A Surrey-based police watchdog says it has found no evidence to assign any police responsibility to the March 24 self-inflicted gunshot death of a man in South Surrey.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is an independent civilian oversight agency operating out of Whalley. It has not released the man's name, identifying him only as AP (the Affected Person).
"On the afternoon of March 24, 2024, police were called to a residence in the neighbourhood of 159a Street and 37 Avenue due to a report of threats being made related to a dispute," an IIO bulletin reads.
Surrey Mounties and Surrey Police Service officers as well as the Emergency Response Team responded but negotiators were "unsuccessful in contacting" the man, who was alone in the building.
"Officers initially established positions outside the residence but did not communicate directly with the AP. Following a period of no movement, officers entered the residence and located the AP who was deceased from self-inflicted gunshot injuries," the bulletin reads. "The IIO investigation found no evidence to support a link between police action or inaction and the AP’s decision to end his own life."
