by Vikki Hopes – Abbotsford News
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) is no longer involved in the investigation into an incident on Sunday in which a 54-year-old man died following a fight outside of a grocery store.
The IIO has concluded that there was no connection between the actions or inaction of police and the death of the man.
The IIO looks into officer-related incidents involving death or serious harm in order to determine whether an officer might have committed an offence.
The agency became involved in the investigation into Sunday’s fatality to further determine the circumstances between the man’s death and the involvement of a police officer, who was the first on the scene after 911 calls came in at about 8:30 p.m. reporting a fight between two men.
When the officer arrived, the man was unconscious on the ground outside of Parisotto’s YIG (Your Independent Grocer) at Sevenoaks Shopping Centre.
The officer checked for vital signs and began CPR when no pulse was detected.
Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service and BC Ambulance personnel arrived on the scene immediately afterwards and took over the medical efforts.
The man was pronounced dead in hospital at 9:16 p.m.
The investigation now remains with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, which is awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death.
Police have said that the other man involved in the fight remained on the scene and has been “fully co-operative.”
