British Columbia

Watchdog investigating fatal police-involved shooting in Mackenzie, B.C.

Police say they arrested a man at a bank on Saturday after receiving a call about someone trying to cash a fraudulent cheque.

RCMP say officers were responding to a call about a man attempting to cash fraudulent cheque

A white sign, framed by the Canadian flag and British Columbia provincial flag. The sign shows the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. logo and name.
B.C.'s Independent Investigations Office is tasked with investigating police-related incidents of death or serious harm. (Independent Investigations Office of B.C.)

British Columbia's police oversight agency is investigating RCMP actions after a man died following an officer-involved shooting in Mackenzie, B.C.

B.C. RCMP said officers responded to calls of a man trying to cash a fraudulent cheque at a bank at around 2 p.m. on Saturday and attempted to arrest him when they arrived. 

But, as they escorted him outside the bank, police said a struggle ensued and the man "reportedly produced a weapon." 

Mounties said an officer shot the suspect during the struggle. He was then brought to the hospital where he died.

The province's Independent Investigations Office (IIO)  investigates all fatal police-related incidents. 

The agency said it will try to confirm the details of the man's interaction with police and determine whether the police response was "necessary, proportionate, and reasonable under the circumstances" during the initial stages of the investigation.

With files from The Canadian Press