The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO) has been deployed to Burnaby following a fatal incident late Tuesday night that is believed to involve police.
IIO Confirms Fatality on Oxford Street
Early Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for the IIO confirmed its investigators were called to a scene on Oxford Street where one person was pronounced dead. The office has not released specific details about the circumstances but acknowledged it is investigating what is believed to be a police-involved shooting.
Limited Details Released
While unconfirmed reports suggest a Burnaby RCMP officer may have fatally shot a woman, the IIO has not verified these details. A spokesperson stated that more information would be provided later in the day on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
The Burnaby RCMP has declined to comment on the overnight shooting, directing all inquiries to the RCMP's E Division headquarters. This is standard procedure in British Columbia when the IIO, the province's independent civilian police oversight agency, is invoked to investigate an incident involving officers that results in serious harm or death.
Scene Secured Overnight
The incident occurred on Tuesday night, with police officers visible on the scene on Oxford Street throughout the evening. The IIO's presence confirms the seriousness of the event and initiates a process independent of the police force involved to determine the facts.
The community awaits further clarification from the IIO as its investigation into the tragic event begins.
