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Vancouver Police Department seeks witnesses to a homicide that occurred on September 30. Norman Labonte, 48, was found with a gunshot wound and later died in the hospital. Authorities urge anyone with information or dash-cam footage to contact the VPD Homicide Unit.
WorkSafeBC launched an investigation into a workplace accident that killed one person in Coquitlam on Friday afternoon. Emergency crews responded to a report of a fall from a residence, and power was turned off in the area during the incident. Service was restored later that evening, but details about the accident remain unclear.
The Luugat SRO in downtown Vancouver will close by June 2026, prompting the province to seek alternative housing for residents. Local officials, including Mayor Ken Sim, support the closure, citing concerns over safety in the Granville Entertainment District. The province plans to evaluate other SRO facilities but has not issued notices for those sites yet.
British Columbia announced major changes to its 911 dispatch network governance and funding following independent reviews. The reports recommend stronger financial controls and clearer accountability, with E-Comm accepting the findings but unions highlighting ongoing issues with long wait times for callers.
A candlelight vigil and community forum will be held in Abbotsford following the shooting death of 68-year-old Darshan Sahsi. His son, Navi, expressed frustration over rising crime and called for changes to empower police in the community. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is investigating the targeted shooting, which Sahsi's family believes is unrelated to extortion.
Vancouver police warn the public about Tyler Gordon Strathdee, a high-risk offender released to a halfway house. Strathdee has a criminal history including sexual assault and manslaughter, and his release comes with strict conditions. Authorities urge anyone witnessing breaches of these conditions to contact the police.
RCMP confirmed the completion of a cull of approximately 300 ostriches at a farm in Edgewood, B.C., following a Supreme Court decision that allowed the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to proceed. The CFIA stated that the cull was necessary due to concerns over avian flu, despite the farm owners arguing the flock was healthy. The area remains quarantined as the CFIA continues with the disposal process.
An RCMP adjudicator found three Coquitlam constables violated the police code of conduct by making racist, sexist, and homophobic comments in a group chat. The adjudicator, Louise Morel, stated that such conduct undermines public confidence in the RCMP, and discussions about potential dismissal for the officers will take place next week.
West Fraser Timber Co. plans to close its lumber mill in 100 Mile House, B.C., by the end of 2025 due to economic challenges stemming from U.S. tariffs and softwood lumber duties. The closure will impact 165 employees, about 8.6% of the town's population, as the company cites insufficient access to viable timber.
Alejandro Samper, the last surviving member of a Vancouver family killed in the Lapu-Lapu Day festival tragedy, seeks accountability through a class-action lawsuit. He aims to hold the city, health authority, and the suspect accountable for systemic failures that allowed the tragedy to occur. Samper emphasizes the need for better communication among authorities to prevent future incidents.