Officers cleared of wrongdoing in fatal shooting of Surrey teenager
British Columbia’s police watchdog has cleared two officers in the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old autistic boy in Surrey, concluding the use of lethal force was justified.
British Columbia’s police watchdog has cleared two officers in the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old autistic boy in Surrey, concluding the use of lethal force was justified after the youth pointed what appeared to be a loaded firearm at them during a prolonged standoff.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) said in a report released Wednesday that there are no reasonable grounds to believe any officer committed an offence in the death of Chase De Balinhard, who was killed on February 9 after calling 911 to report he had a revolver and planned to harm himself.
The decision comes nearly 10 months after the incident, which True North previously reported in the context of another officer-involved fatal shooting around the same period.
According to the IIO report, De Balinhard, who also had attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), did not comply with repeated commands to drop the weapon during the 22-minute encounter involving RCMP and Surrey Police Service officers.
The report details how the youth waved and pointed the gun—later determined to be a loaded .22 pellet-air pistol resembling a real firearm—at his own head and at officers multiple times, prompting them to take cover.
Security camera footage reviewed by investigators shows De Balinhard walking backward while pointing the weapon at approaching officers with his arm fully outstretched.
Two officers fired almost simultaneously, with one bullet striking the teen in the chest. Subsequent resuscitation efforts failed, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The IIO noted officers attempted de-escalation, including pleas like “please don’t make me shoot you,” but were unable to establish dialogue or use less-lethal options such as Tasers or 40-mm projectiles due to the distance and risk posed by the apparent firearm.
The report highlights that the youth’s movements through a school field, park, and residential townhouse complex heightened public safety concerns and complicated containment.
“The evidence shows that all the involved officers attempted repeatedly to resolve the situation without harm to anyone,” IIO chief civilian director Jessica Berglund wrote in the report, describing the outcome as “tragic” but not resulting from unjustified force.
The report is based on statements from 18 civilian witnesses and 10 police officers, 911 audio, security video, forensic analysis, and medical records. The subject officer did not provide a statement, as is their right.