Death of man in police custody prompts independent investigation

IIO to determine what role, if any, police actions may have played

By Jeremy Shepherd ● Coquitlam ● January 19, 2022 May 13, 2022

A man who was arrested early Monday morning for allegedly causing a disturbance was pronounced dead in his cell the next day at the Coquitlam RCMP detachment, prompting an investigation.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. will attempt to: “determine what role, if any, police actions may have played,” in the man’s death, according to a release from the IIO.

Coquitlam RCMP arrived at a residential building in the 600-block of Thompson Avenue just after 7:30 a.m. and eventually arrested the man outside the building for causing a disturbance, according to a statement from the RCMP.

The man was held in custody pending a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday. At 8:37 a.m. on Tuesday morning “the man was found to be unresponsive,” according to police.

“Despite life-saving efforts by police, fire and [Emergency Health Services], the man could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead,” police stated.

The IIO is asking anyone with relevant information to call 1-855-446-8477 or to send a message via iiobc.ca.

Author

Jeremy Shepherd

A chiropractor and a folk singer, after having one great kid, decided to push their luck and have one more, a boy they named Jeremy Shepherd.

Shepherd grew up around Blue Mountain Park in Coquitlam, following a basketball around and trying his best to get to the NBA (it didn’t work out, at least not yet).

With no career plans after graduating Porter Elementary school, Jeremy Shepherd pursued higher education at Como Lake Middle School and eventually, Centennial High School.

Approximately 1,000 movies and several beers later in life, Shepherd made a change.

Having done nothing worth writing, he decided to see if he could write something worth reading.

Since graduating journalism school at Langara College, Shepherd has been a reporter, editor and, reluctantly, a content provider for community newspapers around Metro Vancouver for more than 10 years.

He worked with dogged reporters, eloquently indignant curmudgeons and creative photographers, all of whom shared a little of what they knew.

Now, as he goes about the business of raising two fascinating humans alongside a wonderful partner, Shepherd is delighted to report news and tell stories in the Tri-Cities.

He runs, reads, and is intrigued by art, science, smart cities and new ideas. He is pleased to meet you.

Author

Jeremy Shepherd

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