The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C. was been called to Chilliwack following the death of a man in police custody Monday (April 22).
RCMP were initially called to reports of a fight inside a vehicle, on Mary Street near Patten Avenue at about 12:10 p.m.
When they arrived, they took one man into custody.
Staff Sgt. Kris Clark of the BC RCMP said that the man went into medical distress shortly after that.
“Medical assistance was provided,” Clark said in a press release, “but he was pronounced dead at the scene.”
The IIO is now investigating police actions in the incident, and because of that, no further information will be released by police. The man’s name has also not been released.
Black Press Media has reviewed several videos of the incident. Multiple people have reported witnessing the man being taken into custody, the ensuing rescue efforts by first responders and his death. A tent was put up around the his body, and the road was also closed off between Patten and Spadina Avenues, while first responders waited for the coroner to arrive.
The man had been in a blue pick-up truck, and witnesses reported seeing him kicking out the passenger side of the windshield. There was no information in the RCMP press release about the broken windshield, or details about a second person involved.
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