Home / Crime and Justice / Officers Accused of Abuse in Myles Gray's Death
Officers Accused of Abuse in Myles Gray's Death
21 Jan
Summary
- Seven officers deny allegations of using unnecessary force.
- Witnesses saw Gray exhibiting erratic behavior before his death.
- Gray suffered severe injuries, including a broken voice box.
A public hearing is underway concerning the August 2015 death of Myles Gray, with seven Vancouver Police Department constables facing allegations of abusing their authority.
Constables Kory Folkestad, Eric Birzneck, Derek Cain, Josh Wong, Beau Spencer, Hardeep Sahota, and Nick Thompson have all denied the claims that they used reckless or intentional, unnecessary force. Gray died following an altercation with police, sustaining severe injuries such as ruptured testicles, a broken voice box, a fractured eye socket, and widespread bruising.
Witnesses at the hearing described Gray's unsettling behavior prior to the incident. Andreah Pilgrim saw him pacing and mumbling near a Burnaby bus stop, noting his determined demeanor. Muhammed Reza testified to hearing his mother scream after Gray took her hose, claiming Gray made vulgar comments to her before acting erratically and running into traffic.
Reza followed Gray, observing him walking towards Burnaby. He saw an officer, believed to be Const. Hardeep Sahota, attempt to speak with Gray, who became aggressive. More officers arrived, and Reza heard three distinct screams before two plainclothes officers emerged, one with a bloody head and the other limping. The hearing, scheduled for 10 weeks, continues.
