The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of British Columbia has found reasonable grounds to believe that a Prince George RCMP officer may have committed a criminal offence during a shooting incident in 2021.
The incident happened on May 31, 2021, when officers stopped a vehicle near the North Star Inn at the corner of Victoria Street and 15th Avenue in Prince George. According to reports, the stop quickly escalated. Officers discharged their firearms during the event, and a man inside the vehicle was struck and seriously injured.
Emergency Health Services were called to the scene shortly after the shooting. Before paramedics arrived, officers provided first aid to the man. He was then taken to the hospital with injuries described as life-threatening.
At this time, the IIO has chosen not to share more information about the exact nature of the interaction. The agency explained that releasing further details could affect the fairness of a possible legal process.
Following the investigation, IIO Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund reviewed all collected evidence. She concluded that there are solid legal grounds to believe that one officer may have acted unlawfully when using their firearm during the incident.
With the investigation now complete, the case has been forwarded to the BC Prosecution Service. This next step involves a careful review of all the evidence gathered by the IIO. The prosecution service will determine if the legal threshold for charges is met. Specifically, they must decide if there is a strong likelihood of conviction and if pursuing charges is in the public interest.
The IIO has made it clear that it will not offer more comments while the case is in the hands of the Crown counsel. As per standard procedure, the Crown will now assess whether formal charges will be filed against the officer involved.
The Independent Investigations Office acts as a civilian oversight body for police actions in British Columbia. Its mandate includes probing incidents where police conduct may have led to serious injury or death, regardless of whether a complaint was made.
The RCMP officer under review remains unnamed as the legal process unfolds. Authorities have not shared the officer’s current duty status, and it is unclear whether the individual remains active within the force.
This case marks another moment where police accountability is under public focus. Community members and advocates have often called for greater transparency in incidents involving police use of force. The outcome of this case may add to broader discussions about oversight and justice in British Columbia.
Those following the situation will need to wait for a final decision from the BC Prosecution Service regarding possible charges. Until then, all parties involved are bound by legal privacy rules meant to ensure a fair process.
As of now, no formal charges have been laid, and the investigation remains in the pre-prosecution stage. The public will be informed of further developments when the Crown reaches a decision.
