Man badly injured in Burnaby alleged hostage/kidnapping incident, IIO to investigate
By Castlegar Source
BC RCMP press release:
RCMP has notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident which resulted in one man being taken to hospital late yesterday evening in Burnaby.
Just after 10 p.m. on July 4, 2019, investigation led officers from the Burnaby RCMP and the Lower Mainland District Integrated Emergency Response Team (LMD ERT) to a residence in the 4900-block of Sanders Street in Burnaby, where police believed the victim of a kidnapping was being held. When police entered the residence, three men exited over the balcony of the 11 floor apartment. While two men were arrested without incident on lower floors, one man fell to the ground and suffered serious injuries.
The victim was safely located, physically unharmed. All three men remain in police custody, one of whom remains in hospital.
The Burnaby RCMP will continue to investigate the alleged kidnapping concurrent to the IIO investigation, says A/Commr. Eric Stubbs, Acting Commanding Officer of the BC RCMP. This was a complex and time sensitive investigation that required numerous resources and coordination. I am grateful that the victim was located and proud of the work done by our highly skilled and specialized members and employees.
IIO BC is investigating to determine whether police actions or inactions are linked to the man’s injuries. As the matter is now under investigation by the IIO BC, no further information will be released by police.
Please note that all aspects and circumstances of this incident will be the subject of independent investigation and verification by the IIO BC. For more information about the IIO BC and media updates, you can visit their website at www.iiobc.ca.
IIO press release:
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C. deployed to a police-involved incident in Burnaby.
RCMP reported that on July 04, 2019, at approximately 10:40 p.m., an Emergency Response Team attempting to deescalate a hostage situation, entered an 11th floor apartment in a residential building on Sanders Street, Burnaby.
Three people inside the apartment attempted to exit via the balcony and a male fell to the ground. Emergency Health Services transported the male to hospital, where it was determined he had suffered serious injuries.
The IIO is asking anyone who witnessed the incident to contact the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
