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The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) says it is considering whether to investigate police action connected to the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting.
“The IIO was notified by the RCMP and has assigned investigators to assess evidence in order to determine whether our mandate is met before beginning a full investigation,” said IIO Chief Civilian Director Jessica Berglund in a statement.
The police watchdog says it is looking into whether there is a connection between the deaths and injuries and officers’ action or inaction.
It says if it is determined that there is no connection, it will not proceed with the investigation but if the conditions are met, it will “examine all available evidence to determine what occurred.”
Eight people were killed on Feb. 10 when 18-year-old Jesse Van Rootselaar first shot her mother and half-brother at home before opening fire at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, killing five students aged 12 and 13, and a female education assistant.
Van Rootselaar died by suicide after police arrived at the school.
Last week B.C. RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said that over the last few years police had attended Van Rootselaar’s home for mental health-related calls. He said some of the calls dealt with weapons.
It’s unclear if the scope of the IIO’s mandate includes interactions police had with the shooter before the killings.
A spokesperson for the IIO said in an email to CBC News that the agency is unable to comment on the specifics of the incident but that necessary evidence will be considered.
The IIO is a civilian-led police oversight agency formed to increase public confidence in police oversight, accountability and transparency in policing.
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