Public inquest into shooting of mentally ill Vancouver man begins
Phuong Na 'Tony' Du was fatally shot by police in 2014; criminal charges weren't recommended
A public inquest into the police-involved shooting death of a Vancouver man begins Monday, more than three years after he was killed.
Phuong Na Du, or Tony Du, was shot dead after police were called to a scene at Knight Street near East 41st Avenue on Nov. 22, 2014.
Witnesses said Du, who had schizophrenia, was distraught and holding a wooden two-by-four. At the time, police said he didn't listen to responding officers.
One used a beanbag shotgun to try to disarm Du before the second officer shot him with a firearm.
Du was hospitalized but later died of his injuries. He was 51.
IIO investigation, family lawsuit
The province's Independent Investigations Office reviewed the case, but no charges were recommended.
In its report, the Criminal Justice Branch said the officer used his gun based on the belief that his partner's life was in danger.
Du's family sued that officer as well as the City of Vancouver in late 2016.
The IIO report said police killed Du less than 30 seconds after arriving at the scene — not long enough to try to talk to him or to establish his mental health condition, according to the family lawyer.
The inquest into Du's death is being held at the B.C. Coroners Court in Burnaby.
Jurors will have the opportunity to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths, but it can't make any findings of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law.