The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) is investigating an incident in which a Sechelt man died during an altercation with Vancouver Police Department (VPD) in Burnaby last week.
On Wednesday, the BC Coroners Service identified the man as Myles Thomas Gray, 33, of Sechelt and said it continues to investigate the circumstances of his death.
At about 2:30 p.m. on Aug. 13, VPD officers responded to a report of a distraught man causing a disturbance in the 3600-block of South East Marine Drive in Vancouver, just west of Boundary Road.
Officers found the man in the backyard of a home. After officers engaged the man, a struggle ensued near Marine Drive and Joffre Avenue, just east of Boundary in Burnaby, said the IIO.
“As the first officer on scene attempted to detain him, he became agitated and additional officers were called to the scene,” said VPD in a press release. “Attempts to subdue the man with chemical agents were unsuccessful. A physical altercation ensued, resulting in injuries to the man and six officers.”
Paramedics attended to the man but he died at the scene. All six officers were taken to hospital, two with “significant injuries” and four with minor injuries. All have since been released.
The IIO investigates police-involved deaths or injuries. It was notified at about 4 p.m. Aug. 13 of the incident and arrived on the scene at about 4:30 p.m. and remained there until late into the evening.
Preliminary tasks for IIO investigators will include canvassing the neighbourhood, identifying witnesses and locating any relevant video.
A funeral for Gray is planned for this Saturday, Aug. 29 at noon at the Holy Family Catholic Church (5700 Nickerson Road) and the community is welcome to attend. A reception will follow in the church hall.
Gray leaves behind his parents, Mark and Margie Gray, his sister Melissa Gray, grandmother Jean Gray, great aunt Margaret Brown and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends to mourn his passing.
Gray was the owner of Selma Park Evergreens in Sechelt.
– With files from Christine Wood
