British Columbia

James Butters ID'ed as man killed by RCMP in Port Hardy

The 24-year-old man who was shot and killed by RCMP officers on northern Vancouver Island has been identified by the Coroners Service as James Butters.

Officers say the man was threatening security at a wildfire fighting staging area

The 24-year-old man who was shot and killed by RCMP officers on northern Vancouver Island has been identified by the B.C. Coroners Service.

James Butters, who was also known as James Hayward, died Wednesday morning near the intersection of Highway 19 and Granville Street in Port Hardy.

Police have previously said officers responded to reports of a man threatening security at a wildfire fighting staging area located at a high school, and the suspect was brandishing a knife.

They said police tracked the suspect down, and officers shot him after a confrontation.

The Independent Investigations Office says in a news release that a knife and other pieces of physical evidence were seized at the scene.

The police watchdog says it believes people witnessed the shooting and that investigators would like to speak with them.