Globe: B.C. Attorney-General urges patience in police shooting
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Sunday, May 28, 2006, Globe and Mail, B.C. Attorney-General urges patience in police shooting
Vancouver — There are still no answers into the death of Ian Bush, the Houston, B.C., 22-year-old shot in the head while in police custody after having an open beer at a hockey game in October.
But B.C. Attorney-General Wally Oppal said it's better to have a thorough investigation than a quick one into the Oct. 29 shooting inside the Houston RCMP detachment.
“We have a homicide here and any time you have a homicide, you need scientific forensic evidence and I'm sure all that's being analyzed,” the former B.C. appeals court justice said.
Mr. Oppal, along with B.C. Solicitor General John Les and Const. Paul Koester, the police officer allegedly involved in the shooting, are named in lawsuit filed by Bush's mother Linda May 26.
Mr. Oppal said there is no average amount of time it takes for a criminal investigation to be completed.
He said because of the sensitive nature of Mr. Bush's death, police are subject to extra amounts of scrutiny and concern, as well as public accountability.
On the evening of Oct. 29, Mr. Bush had attended a hockey game in Houston, where police caught him with an open beer.
When asked him for his identification, Mr. Bush gave officers the name of a friend. He was arrested for obstruction of justice.
The sawmill worker was shot after being taken into police custody. The lawyer for his family said the young man died from a bullet to the head.
The officer involved in the incident was just five months out of training. He is now said to be working for unknown detachment.
Vancouver — There are still no answers into the death of Ian Bush, the Houston, B.C., 22-year-old shot in the head while in police custody after having an open beer at a hockey game in October.
But B.C. Attorney-General Wally Oppal said it's better to have a thorough investigation than a quick one into the Oct. 29 shooting inside the Houston RCMP detachment.
“We have a homicide here and any time you have a homicide, you need scientific forensic evidence and I'm sure all that's being analyzed,” the former B.C. appeals court justice said.
Mr. Oppal, along with B.C. Solicitor General John Les and Const. Paul Koester, the police officer allegedly involved in the shooting, are named in lawsuit filed by Bush's mother Linda May 26.
Mr. Oppal said there is no average amount of time it takes for a criminal investigation to be completed.
He said because of the sensitive nature of Mr. Bush's death, police are subject to extra amounts of scrutiny and concern, as well as public accountability.
On the evening of Oct. 29, Mr. Bush had attended a hockey game in Houston, where police caught him with an open beer.
When asked him for his identification, Mr. Bush gave officers the name of a friend. He was arrested for obstruction of justice.
The sawmill worker was shot after being taken into police custody. The lawyer for his family said the young man died from a bullet to the head.
The officer involved in the incident was just five months out of training. He is now said to be working for unknown detachment.
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