Officers shot and killed an 18-year-old with an air pistol in 2023; investigation found their use of force was lawful.

Vancouver police officers have been cleared by British Columbia’s Independent Investigations Office in the 2023 fatal shooting of an 18-year-old in Clinton Park. Officers responded to a 911 call about gunfire and encountered the youth holding a realistic-looking air pistol they believed to be a real firearm. Despite the weapon being an empty .177-calibre pellet gun incapable of producing a muzzle flash, the IIO found officers reasonably believed they faced an imminent threat, justifying the use of lethal force. Over 20 shots were fired, striking the youth six times. The report concluded the officers’ actions were lawful and no criminal charges will be pursued.