BCMP has notified the British Columbia Independent Investigations Office (IIO BC) of an incident in Williams Lake where a man has died. At approximately 3:40 A.M. on Sunday, July 10, Williams Lake RCMP received a report that a man was in possession of a weapon and was considering harming himself at a home in the community, Dawn Roberts, BC RCMP Communication Services noted in a news release. circulation issued Sunday afternoon. RCMP officers attended the residence, established a perimeter and a police negotiator attempted to contact the man. At about 12:30 p.m., North Precinct emergency crews entered the home and found a dead man with a gun and what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Roberts noted. The RCMP will work with the BC Coroner’s Office to determine the exact cause of death of the deceased. IIO BC is now investigating the incident in an attempt to determine if police actions contributed to the man’s death. As the matter is now under investigation by IIO BC, no further information will be released by police. Roberts said all aspects and circumstances of this incident will be the subject of an independent investigation by IIO BC. Update 5:15 p.m Police left the scene at Smedley Street and 11th Avenue in Williams Lake. Update 2:00 p.m Williams Lake RCMP are still on scene at an apartment complex at the corner of Smedley Street and Eleventh Avenue on Sunday, July 10, where they remained for several hours. The incident appears to be over and the BC coroner’s office is on scene. Police have opened Tenth Avenue, but continue to keep Eleventh Avenue closed in both directions near Smedley Street. Before noon, a young man came out of the house and drove away from the scene with a police officer. Holding a mobile phone and walking quietly the young man appeared to be upset. Around 12:30 p.m. members of the RCMP emergency response team entered a main floor unit through the front door. They came out a few minutes later and did not appear to have a suspect with them. 12:00 p.m Williams Lake RCMP are telling people in the area of Smedley Street and 11th Avenue to “go underground for now.” Police have been at the scene of a residence in the area since the early hours of Sunday (July 10) and are seen trying to get two people to come out. Officers have used numerous less-lethal explosive devices and smoke can be seen billowing from the front of the property. Around noon, an officer was also seen breaking the front window of the residence. Staff Sgt. Del Byron asks anyone who lives nearby to go to his basement while the scene unfolds. The public is asked to stay away from the area. More to come There is a heavy RCMP presence near Smedley Street, Tenth and Eleventh Avenues Sunday, July 10th. (photo by Monica Lamb-Yorski – Williams Lake Tribune) There is a heavy RCMP presence near Smedley Street at Tenth and Eleventh Avenues Sunday morning at 7:45 am, July 10th. (photo by Monica Lamb-Yorski – Williams Lake Tribune) There is a heavy RCMP presence at the corner of Smedley Street and 11th Avenue Sunday, July 10. (photo by Monica Lamb-Yorski – Williams Lake Tribune) [email protected] Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter RCMPWilliams Lake
