Police watchdog investigating after suspected armed robber found dead near Lake Cowichan, B.C.
![IIO generic Investigators from B.C.'s Independent Investigations Office are seen in this file photo from the IIO.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2020/3/8/iio-generic-1-4844241-1688007871832.jpeg)
British Columbia's police watchdog is investigating after a man suspected of committing an armed robbery near Duncan, B.C, was later found dead near Lake Cowichan, B.C.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) says it is looking to determine what role, if any, police actions or inactions may have played in the man's death.
Mounties from the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP detachment responded to a report of an armed robbery at a business north of Duncan around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The alleged robber was reportedly driving a black Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, which was later identified driving through Duncan before police lost track of it around 3 p.m.
The Island District RCMP Emergency Response Team located the truck an hour later parked in an eastbound lane along Highway 18, approximately five kilometres east of Lake Cowichan, according to information provided by both the RCMP and the IIO on Wednesday.
Responding officers saw no movement inside the truck before they approached at 4:45 p.m. and found one man dead from what police say appeared to be self-inflicted wounds.
Anyone with information or video footage relevant to the incident is asked to call the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or contact the agency via the iiobc.ca website.
The RCMP said it would not release any further information on the incident while the IIO investigation is ongoing.
The IIO is tasked with investigating all police officer-related incidents in B.C. that result in death or serious injury to a member of the public, regardless of whether there is any allegation of police wrongdoing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978649.1722015109!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.