RCMP Shoot and Kill Man in Revelstoke, BC (Aug. 27, 2023)

RCMP shot and killed a man in Revelstoke, British Columbia on August 27, 2023. The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC reports that the shooting occurred on Victoria Road East in Revelstoke. Police claim that at 11 PM, Revelstoke RCMP received a report regarding a stolen vehicle and around 11:48 PM responded after the vehicle owner reported that they had located their vehicle, which had since left the area.

Police located the vehicle and a police vehicle collided with the other vehicle in an attempt by police to stop it. The man reportedly exited the vehicle and police claim that after a brief foot chase allegedly entered the police vehicle. According to the RCMP, one officer fired their weapon striking the man. Emergency Health Services attended and transported the man to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Photos from the scene show a damaged red Honda CRV with its driver’s side back door and molding crumpled. The vehicle is behind police tape.

Man Dies in Brandon Police Custody (Aug. 20, 2023)

A man died in Brandon Police Service (BPS) custody on August 20, 2023. The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) reports that police claim that while in custody the man showed “unusual behavior” and they requested Brandon Fire and Emergency Services. The IIU says the man’s condition deteriorated rapidly and he was transported to Brandon Regional Health Centre. He was declared dead there a short time later.

Police told the IIU that the man had been arrested for flight from police, breach of a release order, and drug related offences, so this may have been another drug war death. No other details are available publicly at this time.

Man (44) Dies After Arrest Using Less Lethal Rounds in Medicine Hat (Aug. 6, 2023)

The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT) is examining a man’s death following arrest in Medicine Hat, Alberta, on August 6, 2023. They report that at approximately 2:02 PM, Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) received a 911 call about a man allegedly screaming and swinging a machete. Police officers responded to an apartment at 144 2 Ave. SE, where they interacted with a 44-year-old man and told him that he was under arrest for possession of weapons for a dangerous purpose.

The man allegedly barricaded himself inside a residence and the MHPS tactical team arrived. The man allegedly exited the residence holding a machete and knife and advanced towards police officers. The tactical team deployed less lethal rounds at the man and restrained him.

At 8:03 PM, the man was transported to hospital. At 8:56 PM, the man stopped breathing and died.

It has not been reported which specific less lethal rounds were deployed against the victim.

Michael Sankar Dies in Winnipeg Police Custody (Aug. 7, 2023)

The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) is investigating Michael Sankar’s death following his arrest by the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) on August 7, 2023. They report that WPS officers were dispatched to the intersection of Kinbrace Bay and McLeod Avenue around 1 PM in response to multiple 911 calls about a male with a weapon behaving erratically. The man allegedly went into a house in the 500 block of Oakland Avenue where he was taken into police custody. After his arrest, police requested medical assistance from Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS). While waiting for WFPS to arrive, Mr. Sankar became unresponsive. He was transported to Health Sciences Centre in critical condition and was later pronounced dead there.

Because this involves a fatality, the IIU has made a request for a civilian monitor to the Manitoba Police Commission.

Man (25) Dies After Ottawa Police Arrest and Detention (Aug. 3-8, 2023)

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the death a 25-year-old man in Ottawa on August 8, 2023, following his arrest and medical distress on August 3. They report that at about 4 PM on August 3, Ottawa Police Service officers went to an apartment building on Goulburn Crescent for a domestic incident and arrested a man. Conducting a search, police allegedly found drugs on his body.

The man was taken to the police station where another search was carried out and he was detained in a cell. At approximately 6 PM the man was seen to be in medical distress. Emergency Medical Services responded, and he was taken to hospital. He died there on August 8.

The SIU has assigned three investigators and one forensic investigator to examine the case.

Fatal VPD Shooting of 18-Year-Old in East Vancouver (Aug. 5, 2023)

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old, identified as male, by Vancouver Police Department (VPD) officers in East Vancouver in the early-morning of August 5, 2023.

They report that at approximately 2:15 AM VPD received a report regarding the alleged sound of gunfire in Clinton Park, near Grant and Penticton Streets. Officers located a youth in the park and he was shot by police. He was transported to hospital, where he died.

Witnesses have since reported hearing around 20 shots. At least 24 police bullet casing markers have been shown in media reports. Witnesses say they only heard a sound like a firecracker before hearing a staccato of gunshots. Witnesses have also reported that they did not hear police give direction to the person before opening fire but only heard officers telling each other to be careful of a crossfire. No non-police firearm has been confirmed publicly as being present.