Charges considered in 2012 New Westminster police shooting

Charges could be laid following a fatal police shooting in New Westminster, B.C.

The province's independent civilian police watchdog has sent a report to Crown counsel after concluding an investigation of an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the Vancouver suburb on Nov. 8, 2012.

Independent Investigations Office chief civilian director Richard Rosenthal says reports are sent to Crown when his office considers an offence may have been committed.

Rosenthal notes no recommendation on charges is ever included in a report and possible charges are not suggested because the Criminal Justice Branch has jurisdiction over charge assessment and approval.

The shooting ended a nearly five-hour standoff in a Casino parking lot on the northeast corner of Lulu Island, that caused gridlock on several Metro Vancouver commuter links as New Westminster police blocked off a nearby bridge and other area roads.

Richmond resident Mehrdad Bayrami died several days after being shot as he sat in a vehicle holding a weapon, although investigators have never said what prompted the actions of the 48-year-old.