The B.C. Assembly of First Nations condemned the BC Prosecution ServiceB次元官网网址檚 decision to not pursue charges against three RCMP officers responsible for the killing of a First Nations man in Campbell River on July 8, 2021.

B次元官网网址淭he First Nations Leadership Council (FNLC) is shocked and angered to learn that the BC Prosecution Service will not be pursuing charges on three RCMP officers responsible for the killing of Jared Lowndes, a member of the WetB次元官网网址檚uwetB次元官网网址檈n First Nation, in Campbell River on July 8, 2021,B次元官网网址� a statement issued by the BCAFN says. B次元官网网址淚n 2022, the Independent Investigations Office recommended charges against the three officers involved, stating B次元官网网址榬easonable grounds exist to believe that three officers may have committed offences in relation to various uses of force.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

Lowndes died the morning of July 8, 2021 in the parking lot of the Willow Point Tim Hortons in Campbell River after police officers opened fire. During the incident, a police dog was also killed, and the dogB次元官网网址檚 handler was injured.

The Independent Investigations Office forwarded the file to Crown counsel in October of 2023, recommending the consideration of charges against the trio of officers involved who have not been identified publicly.

The BC Prosecution Service released its decision Tuesday, April 23, concluding that the evidence available did not meet their charge assessment standard.

B次元官网网址淭he BCPS is not able to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officers committed any offence in relation to the incident. As a result, no charges have been approved,B次元官网网址� a statement from BCPS says.

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The decision does not sit will with BCAFN leadership.

BCAFN Regional Chief Terry Teegee, says, B次元官网网址淟ess than a month after the BC Prosecution Service stayed manslaughter charges against police officers responsible for the death of Dale Culver, we are here yet again at the helm of closed-door investigations that uphold instead of dismantle the colonial and racist institution of the RCMP. We cannot accept these decisions as the status quo, and we demand immediate answers for JaredB次元官网网址檚 family. Imminent review of the criminal justice system must be prioritized by our government in full partnership with the rights and title holders of British Columbia. We cannot let yet another death of our family members mark the continued inaction and failure of a system we never consented to.B次元官网网址�

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, says, B次元官网网址淭his decision reopens wounds for JaredB次元官网网址檚 family and only drives this issue of colonial violence perpetuated by the justice system further. Shame on the BC Prosecution Service and shame on the RCMP for this grave injustice. The BC Prosecution Service must stop blindly sanctioning the use of deadly force against Indigenous citizens in BC. First Nations cannot continue to live in fear of RCMP officersB次元官网网址� unfettered actions that have no consequence. Indigenous people are more than 10 times more likely to be murdered by the police in Canada than non-Indigenous people. This tells us that the system is broken beyond repair, and we demand accountability of the BC Prosecution Service.B次元官网网址�

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Hugh Braker, First Nations Summit Political Executive, says this case will further shake First NationsB次元官网网址� confidence in independent investigations of police actions.

B次元官网网址淭his decision by the Prosecution Service to not lay charges against the three police officers in question casts doubt on the BC Solicitor GeneralB次元官网网址檚 Ministry and Attorney GeneralB次元官网网址檚 Ministry support for, or faith in, the Independent Investigation Office (IIO),B次元官网网址� Braker says. B次元官网网址淭he IIO was formed to B次元官网网址榠ndependentlyB次元官网网址� examine police officersB次元官网网址� actions and, where necessary, recommend charges. They recommended charges here. First NationsB次元官网网址� people cannot be faulted for a complete lack of faith in, or support for, the existing Justice System. We reaffirm the need for BC Attorney General Niki Sharma and BC Solicitor General Mike Farnworth to work with First Nations immediately to prevent further injustice and identify a path forward for JaredB次元官网网址檚 family.B次元官网网址�