VANCOUVER — A year after a British Columbia man was shot by police on Thanksgiving, his family is still waiting to find out what exactly happened.
Peter de Groot was killed on Oct. 13, after he had a confrontation with police in the small community of Slocan, in southeastern B.C. He fled into the bush near his property, prompting a days-long manhunt.
RCMP alleged de Groot shot at officers before fleeing. The force told media the 45 year-old man was known to police and should be considered armed and dangerous.
De Groot's family denied he was a threat, saying he had no history of violence or run-ins with the law.
The case was turned over to B.C.'s police watchdog, which reviews police handling of incidents that result in death or serious injury.
De Groot's family issued a statement Sunday saying they have yet to see any details of the agency's investigation.
"We are still waiting on any results of the investigation from the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. Our perspective and our position on the matter remains unchanged," the family said in a statement issued by their lawyer, Don Sorochan.
Sorochan said in an email that the family has not made a decision on whether or not they will file a lawsuit and that they are waiting on the IIO's report into all the facts and circumstances of de Groot's death.
The agency is waiting on reports about some of the elements of the investigation before the chief civilian director decides whether or not any of the officers involved may have committed an offence, IIO spokesman Marten Youssef said in an email.
Firearms analysis of the case is expected within the next two months, he added.
"While we wait for these reports, we never lose sight of those whose lives were changed and who continue to wait," Youssef said.
The statement from de Groot's family also thanked everyone who gave them love and support over the past year.
"We would like to remember our brother today for the honourable person that he was and we hope that he rests with the knowledge that he was dearly loved."
