B.C.’s police watchdog has been called in to investigate the death of a woman that occurred after a police encounter on Saturday.
According to information released by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO), officers were called to the Songhees area around 2:17 a.m., following reports of a disturbance.
At around 2:28 a.m., police found a woman near the water.
“Due to the circumstances of the incident, a conducted energy weapon (CEW) [or Taser] was deployed in an effort to prevent self-harm.” says the IIO in their news release.
Officers immediately rendered medical assistance until paramedics arrived, at which point the woman was taken to hospital, where she later died.
According to the IIO, the woman sustained serious injuries that were unrelated to the taser.
The IIO reviews all incidents involving officers and serious harm or death, regardless of if there are allegations of wrongdoing.
The investigation is ongoing.
