Watchdog clears RCMP officer in deadly shooting of B.C. mom

The family of a woman shot dead by police in 2024 is condemning an IIO report that found the officer’s actions were justified.

British Columbia’s police watchdog has found an officer’s deadly use of force against a Surrey mother just over a year ago was justified.

Vanessa Renteria Valencia was shot dead in her Cloverdale home in September 2024, with police saying an officer pulled the trigger after the Colombian refugee put scissors to her 18-month-old daughter’s neck while sitting in a bathtub.

On Friday, the Independent Investigations Office released its report looking into the incident, confirming it would not be asking prosecutors to consider charges in connection with the shooting.  

“The force used was necessary to protect the life of the baby,” IIO chief civilian director Jessica Berglund said at a news conference following the release of the report. “As a result, I do not have reasonable grounds to believe that a criminal offence may have been committed by any officer in this file.”

The deceased’s sister, Sandra Renteria Valencia, condemned the report’s findings.

“My reaction is of much frustration and I feel very impotent because it is obvious her case is left in total impunity,” she told reporters on Friday through a translator. “It’s very disappointing to see how this entity of investigation is justifying the police results and their actions.”

The report highlighted the language barrier in Renteria Valencia’s final moments – with officers resorting to Google translate after being unable to immediately secure a Spanish translator in the middle of the night.

“How is it possible that over 10 police officers attended the call, and not one of them was able to reach a translator for her,” asked the woman’s sister.

Officers said they believed Renteria Valencia was experiencing a mental health crisis when she allegedly held scissors at her toddler’s neck. Rosa Arteaga of Battered Women’s Support Services said the fact that police often deal with these complex situations without outside help is a systemic failure.

“There is a woman in distress with a baby, and throughout 30 minutes that she was in distress and crisis, more police were coming to the incident – but no one with training to deal with someone who can be perceived as having a mental health crisis,” she said.