A provincial agency that investigates police-involved deaths and injuries says officers responding to a domestic dispute in a Coquitlam high rise apartment building are not to blame for the death of a man who fell from an 11th floor balcony.
It is not known whether the man jumped or fell trying to escape in a harrowing account of events that took place on Aug, 21, 2021, but the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) said evidence from witnesses and at the scene prove the three officers involved are not at fault.
"Attending officers were acting in lawful execution of their duty when they entered the apartment. They were responding to reliable information that domestic violence was occurring," states the report issued by Ronald J. MacDonald, chief civilian director.
The conclusion was drawn after a review of evidence that included statements of two civilian witnesses and two witness police officers, police dispatch records, a 911 audio recording as well as evidence at the scene along with an autopsy and toxicology report.
An email from an anonymous tipster was not, however, given credibility as evidence, according to the IIO report, because it was so dark and the balcony was dimly lit.
However, MacDonald stated in the report that attempts were made to try to contact the tipster who said the RCMP officers lied and committed murder by pushing the man off the balcony.
Anonymous tipster didn't provide credible evidence
In denying the evidence, MacDonald stated the tipster made "bald accusations" but provided no details beyond what was available through publicly provided information.
"The evidence obtained otherwise, from both civilian and police witnesses, is both internally consistent and audio recordings of CW!'s 911 call and police radio transmissions."
In events described in the report, a woman identified as CW1 called 911 at 3:18 a.m., saying that her "partner was drunk and being abusive to her."
She said the man had a knife — described as a switchblade — and she could be heard shouting "Get away from me. Get away from me."
There was also "blood everywhere" because the man had "punched some glasses and hurt his hand."
As officers were arriving, they could hear the victim telling the man to go down the stairs.
Victim said man was 'going to jump off balcony' as police arrived
When officers tried to enter the apartment, the man closed the door on them and ran toward the balcony.
The domestic abuse victim could be heard saying "He's going to go on the balcony. He's going to jump off the balcony...the police are here.. did he jump? No did he jump?"
In their statements, the officers said they attempted to force open the door and all three entered closely together.
One officer was carrying a "less lethal" projectile launcher slung and "pointed to the ground," another officer had his service pistol drawn because of reports the man had a switchblade.
The first officer who reached the balcony said "No wait, don't" but there was no one there, according to officers' statements.
At no point did the officers come in physical contact with the man, who the report stated may have jumped intentionally or fell trying to escape as his hand was injured.
Further witness statements said the body of the man could be seen on the roof of the parking garage.
Found nearby was a silver-handled knife in a nylon sheath.
In conclusion, the IIO investigation stated that there were "no reasonable grounds" to consider that an officer may have committed an offence "under any enactment. and therefore the matter will not be referred to Crown counsel for consideration of charges."
