Darcy Wintonyk (ctvbc.ca) – A B.C. Coroner’s Service inquiry opens Monday into the death of a B.C. man who was fatally shot by RCMP outside his home.
German-speaking Valeri George, 41, died after being shot during an incident with the RCMP’s North Division Emergency Response Team near Fort St. John, B.C., two years ago.
Police teams were called to his farm in Buick Creek on Sept. 30, 2009, after a family domestic situation.
Cpl. Dan Moskaluk said there was a family outing planned that day, but George tried to stop his wife from leaving the property by immobilizing her vehicle with their children inside.
“He had stopped his wife’s vehicle on the road and armed with a rifle and shot the tires out with all occupants inside. Then the wife and family friend managed to drive off and call police,” he told ctvbc.ca.
Officers found George at the back of his home, but he would not come outside. The incident would spark a standoff that would last several days, and include a translator and Mounties from several jurisdictions.
George was eventually shot as he reportedly tried to leave the property in his van on Sept. 30. He was armed with a rifle.
Paramedics reached the man within two minutes but the wounds were fatal.
After the incident the RCMP launched an internal probe into the use of lethal force. The team was led by RCMP “E” Division Major Crimes unit with the supervision of a detective from the Vancouver Police Department.
This week Coroner Rodrick MacKenzie and a jury will hear evidence from subpoenaed witnesses in order to determine the facts around the farmer’s death. The jury will then make recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
The inquest will be held at B.C. Supreme Court in Fort. St. John until Sept. 2
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