Greater Victoria police detachments are taking to social media offering their condolences after a Burnaby RCMP officer was killed in the line of duty today.
The slain officer has been identified as Constable Shaelyn (Tzu-Hsin) Yang.
“She died bravely,” said BC RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
“She answered the call to duty today and she paid the ultimate price.”
Cst. Yang lived in Richmond and was an active volunteer, according to BC RCMP. She started her career volunteering part time with the Richmond RCMP’s Victim Services unit later as a full-time volunteer.
In 2019, she decided to become a police officer and entered training at Depot in June of that same year. Cst. Yang graduated in December as a member of Troop 8 and was posted to Burnaby Detachment.
#bcrcmp – Burnaby RCMP loses officer in line of duty https://t.co/aMVbht6lRt pic.twitter.com/2tsdvrB2m9
— BCRCMP (@BCRCMP) October 19, 2022
“She was a loving wife, sister and daughter,” said McDonald of Yang.
“Those she worked with before joining the RCMP and her police colleagues today, describe Cst. Yang as a kind and compassionate person, which makes her death even more difficult to accept.”
According to Burnaby RCMP, officers were dispatched to a complaint near the intersection of Canada Way and Curle Avenue in Broadview Park.
We are all saddened to hear of the tragic murder of a @BurnabyRCMP officer earlier today. Our thoughts are with her family, co-workers, and the entire @BCRCMP team. Thank you to all those who are assisting in supporting those who are directly impacted. pic.twitter.com/UYMcI3Rrsg
— Oak Bay Police (@OakBayPolice) October 18, 2022
Police say that while there, Constable Yang became engaged in an altercation with a man which resulted in her being stabbed and the man being shot.
Paramedics reportedly transported both Yang and the man she shot to hospital, but she has since succumbed to her stab wounds.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Mike Farnworth revealed in a press conference at the BC Legislature that the officer who was slain was a female officer of the Burnaby RCMP.
Today one of our own police officers sacrificed her life in the course of duty.
Our thoughts as well as our hearts go to the everyone affected.
— Mike Farnworth (@mikefarnworthbc) October 18, 2022
Police chiefs and their departments from across Vancouver Island and the lower mainland have been tweeting their condolences to the Burnaby RCMP and the fallen officer’s family and friends.
Today marks another absolute tragedy as a @BurnabyRCMP officer’s life is taken while serving her community and providing care & public safety to all. The hearts of all @SaanichPolice officers and staff are hurting. Sending love & prayers to her family and all RCMP 🙏#yyj
— Dean Duthie (@ChiefDuthie) October 18, 2022
Our hearts at #VPD are heavy with sorrow – we send our deepest heartfelt condolences to the family & our brothers & sisters in the #RCMP following the tragic murder of the @BurnabyRCMP officer as she bravely served her community @BCRCMP @npffpn @VancouverPD pic.twitter.com/PBLddIOqlT
— Adam Palmer (@ChiefPalmer) October 18, 2022
Local, provincial and federal leaders are also among those who give their condolences to the family, friends and fellow officers of the officer who was killed.
I’m incredibly saddened to hear about the killing of a @BurnabyRCMP officer. My thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen officer – I am keeping you in my thoughts during this terrible time. https://t.co/E2xdbYOvI1
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 18, 2022
Heart-wrenching news today of the killing of an RCMP officer in Burnaby.
My condolences to their fellow officers, family, and loved ones.
This is an unimaginable loss in the line of duty.
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) October 18, 2022
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has since assumed control of the investigation of Constable Yang’s death.
The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia will concurrently investigate the actions of police.
Our heartfelt condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of the Burnaby RCMP officer killed in the line of duty today. Our thoughts are with the @BurnabyRCMP. We Stand together with you during this tragic time. pic.twitter.com/RB9rdIs441
— Saanich Police (@SaanichPolice) October 18, 2022
