The two police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man in Vancouver last week were not equipped with Tasers, police said yesterday.
Const. Jana McGuinness said investigators are waiting until the victim’s family is notified before releasing his name, and that results of an autopsy are expected soon.
The man, who is believed to have been a resident of a rehab facility in the Downtown Eastside, was shot to death on Friday afternoon after allegedly approaching an officer with a knife.
McGuinness said the officers believed he had broken into a van nearby and when they confronted him, the suspect came at them with a boxcutter. When he refused orders to drop the knife he was shot.
“Our officers are trained to use deadly force only when it is necessary to protect themselves or others from grievous bodily harm or death, and no less violent options are available,” said police Chief Jim Chu.
“The loss of a life is a traumatic event for everyone involved. We don’t know yet the identity of the deceased, but when we do, we will be expressing our condolences for their loss.”
The shooting will be investigated by the Abbotsford Police Department, B.C. Coroner’s Service and Crown counsel.
