The mother of a man shot dead by an RCMP officer in a Northern B.C. town has dropped her lawsuit against the detachment.
Linda Bush made the announcement in downtown Vancouver yesterday morning alongside RCMP officers, saying that her decision not to go to court was partly due to “flaws” in the justice system already having been exposed.
In 2005, her 22-year-old son Ian Bush was in police custody in Houston, B.C., when he was shot in the back of the head. The officer claimed that Ian was lying on top of him when he was shot. A coroner’s inquest later revealed that the officer’s story was improbable and that he’d destroyed his notes from the night.
Linda said she is aware that her decision will disappoint people close to her.
“You have seen how an inquest affects the families,” said Bush. “We would be reliving the despair, anger, hopelessness and frustration. I am no longer sure I can justify putting my family through the ordeal of a court case.”
Chief Supt. Craig Callens spoke alongside Bush.
“The RCMP has made changes (that) include external investigation, review and oversight of serious incidents … and the installation of video recording equipment in RCMP buildings,” he said.
