Investigation concludes on police-involved mother and child deaths in northern British Columbia

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The jury issued its recommendations Saturday after a week-long investigation into Smithers that examined the April 21, 2016 RCMP shootings against Jovan Williams, 39, and his 73-year-old mother, Shirley Williams, in front of their home. in Granisle, east of Smithers.

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Jovan Christopher Williams, 39, and Shirley Beatrice Williams, 73, were shot and killed by police on April 21, 2016 outside their home in Granisle.
Jovan Christopher Williams, 39, and Shirley Beatrice Williams, 73, were shot and killed by police on April 21, 2016 outside their home in Granisle. Photo sent

SMITHERS – A forensic jury examining the shootings of a mother and her adult son involved by police in northern British Columbia has made five recommendations aimed at preventing similar deaths.

The jury issued its recommendations Saturday after a week-long investigation into Smithers that examined the April 21, 2016 RCMP shootings against Jovan Williams, 39, and his 73-year-old mother, Shirley Williams, in front of their home. in Granisle, east of Smithers.

The shootings, which according to the coroner’s report occurred within two minutes of each other, have been declared homicides, a neutral term that does not imply criminal intent or guilt.

The jury recommends that the RCMP deploy members in pairs, especially for high-risk responses in remote communities; consider using family members or victim support personnel instead of officers during crisis communications in those rural areas; and reopen his Granisle detachment.

A recommendation to Northern Health says it should ensure adequate follow-up in remote villages when evaluating and treating clients with mental health problems.

Both the health authority and the RCMP are urged to develop and implement community crisis intervention teams in isolated communities.

A report from the Office of Independent Investigations in 2018 cleared the officer of any wrongdoing in both shootings, finding that he was responding to a report of a dispute involving a handgun and, as he approached the Williams’ home, Jovan Williams emerged running, he aimed a rifle and threw a rifle. bottle full of fuel, while Shirley Williams emerged with a shotgun and bulletproof vest.

The investigation was originally scheduled for June last year, but was postponed until last week due to the pandemic.

Reference-vancouversun.com

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