The office tasked with investigating police-involved deaths in BC was called to Surrey Saturday afternoon.
The Independent Investigations Office of BC told CTV News it had been deployed to the area of 152 Street and 100 Avenue in the city’s Guildford neighbourhood.
Police reported to the IIO that they had attempted to stop a suspect, who shot himself as officers were approaching his vehicle, an IIO spokesperson said.
She added that the man was not expected to survive his injuries.
Images from the scene show an evidence tent set up next to a gray sedan stopped in the middle of the road. A pile of bloody clothing can be seen on the pavement, and blood stains are also visible on the inside of the car’s driver’s side door, which is open.
Police tape could be seen criss-crossing the intersection, which was closed to traffic.
TransLink tweeted that several bus routes were being diverted due to a police incident in the area.
Surrey RCMP issued a brief statement saying they had been called to the intersection just before 2:20 p.m., that a police incident had occurred, and that the intersection would remain closed for “an undetermined amount of time.”
In an email to CTV News, the detachment confirmed the IIO’s involvement and referred all other questions to that office.
The IIO is responsible for investigating all incidents involving police in BC that result in death or serious injury to a member of the public, regardless of whether there is any allegation of wrongdoing on the part of the police.
Investigators from the office will review evidence to determine whether police action or inaction contributed to the man’s injuries.
