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Police Cleared in Beanbag Shotgun Death
6 Dec
Summary
- Man died after being shot with beanbag shotgun by Vancouver police.
- Watchdog cleared officers, finding no offense in the man's death.
- Autopsy cited multiple factors including drugs, restraint, and stress.
Vancouver police officers have been cleared by British Columbia's police watchdog regarding the death of a man shot with a beanbag shotgun in August 2022.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. released a report stating no reasonable grounds exist to believe an officer committed an offense in the death of Chris Amyotte, a 42-year-old father of eight. The incident occurred when Amyotte, observed running naked and distressed on Hastings Street, did not comply with police commands.
Despite bystander attempts to de-escalate and audio evidence indicating Amyotte may have been pepper-sprayed, an officer discharged a beanbag shotgun at his back. Amyotte subsequently went into medical distress and died. An autopsy cited the combined effects of bear spray exposure, methamphetamine and fentanyl, and physical restraint as causes of death, with the beanbag rounds not deemed contributory.
