Police watchdog investigating after RCMP fatally shot B.C. woman

Investigators with the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. are pictured at a crime scene in 2019.  (Gian-Paolo Mendoza/CBC - image credit)
Investigators with the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. are pictured at a crime scene in 2019. (Gian-Paolo Mendoza/CBC - image credit)

British Columbia's police oversight agency says it is investigating after the RCMP fatally shot a woman in Surrey early Thursday.

Police said in a news release that the Surrey RCMP received a report of a disturbance at a home in the 6200 block of 180A Street at around 4:40 a.m.

According to RCMP, officers learned that the woman was reportedly holding a weapon near a toddler who she had locked herself in a room with.

Police subsequently shot the woman, according to the news release. The statement said she died at the scene despite receiving immediate medical attention. There were no reported injuries to the toddler.

The RCMP said they notified the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) about the incident, which the civilian-led agency confirmed in its own news release.

The IIO added that it's now working to confirm the incident's details and whether the police's use of force was "necessary, reasonable, and proportionate in the circumstances."

The IIO told CBC News Thursday afternoon it is too early in the investigation to provide any additional information.

Meanwhile, the RCMP have said they will not be releasing additional information about the case because it is now under investigation by the oversight agency.

The IIO is asking anyone with video footage or information about the incident to call 1-855-446-8477 or use the contact form at iiobc.ca.