Jordan MacWilliams, Delta police officer, charged with 2nd-degree murder, appears in court

Delta police officer Jordan MacWilliams, charged with second-degree murder in connection with a shooting two years ago outside the Starlight Casino in New Westminster, B.C., made a court appearance Thursday. 

MacWilliams faces charges stemming from an investigation by the Independent Investigations Office, which took over the case after the shooting of Mehrdad Bayrami on a paved pathway outside the casino on Nov. 8, 2012.

Police responded to reports of a distraught man with a gun in the parking lot of the casino. After a lengthy five-hour standoff during which police could be heard imploring Bayrami to drop his weapon, he was shot. 

MacWilliams was supported by dozens of fellow police officers outside B.C. Supreme Court on Thursday.

"I can't imagine a scenario where a police officer under those circumstances would be charged with second degree murder," said Tom Stamatakis, president of the B.C. Police Association.

Many officers wore blue wristbands that bear MacWilliams' badge number. Delta police say they have sold more than 2,500 in the last month at $2 each.

A Dec. 4 Facebook post to Delta police department's page explains that "the bracelets were designed by our Police Association as a way for us to show our support for Cst. MacWilliams and honour our core values."

MacWilliams, who is currently on bail, is on paid administrative leave.

His next court appearance is set for next month.