Police action played no role in man’s self-inflicted death near Merritt: IIO

B.C.’s police watchdog says actions of Merritt RCMP officers were not a factor in a man’s death outside of the community last month.

On April 2 at about 9:30 p.m., an officer came across a vehicle parked at the side of Highway 97C near Iron Mountain Road south of Merritt. At about the same time, police heard from a caller expressing concern for the wellbeing of a family member in the area.

The officer who responded reported the man inside the vehicle was in possession of a gun. That prompted a call for additional support, including members of the Emergency Response Team (ERT).

RCMP employed a drone to capture images of the man and found he had suffered a gunshot injury, believed to be self-inflicted. The man was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) took over the investigation, which has now wrapped up.

Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund reviewed evidence including officer statements, radio transmissions and video footage, determining there was no connection between the actions of the responding police officers and the man’s death.