ANOTHER PERSON DIES IN VANCOUVER POLICE DEPARTMENT CUSTODY

IIO investigating a police-involved death from Aug. 2 in the Downtown Eastside

Field dispatch from Karl, Molly Beatrice, A. & Tyson Singh

IIO ANNOUNCES IT IS SEEKING WITNESS ACCOUNTS FOR AN ARREST IN THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE ON AUG. 2, 2024

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has posted an information bulletin to request information from witnesses regarding an incident that occurred at 5:20pm on Aug. 2nd.

The bulletin reads: “VPD [Vancouver Police Department] officers were flagged down for a male causing a disturbance on the north side of East Hastings Street between Columbia and Carrall streets.”

“The man was taken into custody by police, and shortly after went into medical distress.”

*UPDATE Aug. 7, 2024: Upon inquiry, the Independent Investigations Office has clarified via email that the person did pass away at the scene.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS SPEAK TO P.O.W.E.R.

Early on Aug. 4, members of P.O.W.E.R. initiated an investigation into the incident. 

Karl, a member of P.O.W.E.R, expressed he had seen a white tent set up between the Lux and Olivia Skye buildings on Friday evening. White forensic work tents are often set up on the street by VPD and IIO investigators to obscure the scenes of police-involved fatalities.

Based on this information, P.O.W.E.R members conducted on-the-street outreach in the area.

One Downtown Eastside (DTES) community member reported they had witnessed a significant portion of an arrest on Aug. 2.

This community member expressed knowing the involved person as “very polite” and “very quiet.”

But they report that this person had been rolling around on the ground, and appeared to be acting differently than usual prior to his interaction with the VPD. This community member described the involved person as wearing pyjama pants and no shirt during the interaction. 

According to this community member and one other witness, the person who was arrested appeared to go limp during the interaction, after being handcuffed by police. 

P.O.W.E.R continues to compile evidence, and will monitor the IIO’s response to this incident. 

WITNESS SOMETHING?

EMAIL P.O.W.E.R.: power@vandu.org

OR attend P.O.W.E.R. drop-in @ The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users Every Wednesday 11:00AM - 1:00PM - Dunlevy & Hastings