Watchdog investigating after man shot by police in Surrey

IIO investigators are seen in Vancouver, B.C., in a file image.

B.C.’s police watchdog is asking for witnesses to come forward after a man was shot during an arrest attempt in Surrey Sunday night.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. says officers responded to a report of a man allegedly armed with a weapon at a home in the 13400 block of 81 Avenue around 8 p.m.

Investigators say police both used “less-lethal weapons” and fired a service pistol while attempting to arrest the man.

In its own statement, the Surrey Police Service says the individual “reportedly confronted officers while holding an edged weapon.”

“Officers and BCEHS paramedics administered medical interventions, and the affected person was transported to hospital, where they were reported as receiving treatment for minor injuries,” police wrote.

The IIO says it will determine whether the man’s injuries meet the threshold of serious harm as defined by the Police Act, and whether police “action or inaction” contributed.

“If both conditions are met, the investigation will continue to examine all available evidence to determine what occurred,” the IIO explained, in a statement. “At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact the IIO at 1-855-446-8477 or use the contact form on iiobc.ca.