Brother's Testimony Contradicts RCMP Account of Fatal Shooting
A British Columbia coroner's inquest heard Friday that Julian Jones, a 28-year-old Indigenous man killed by RCMP in 2021, was not aggressive and held no weapons, directly contradicting the officer's testimony.
John Lucas Jr., the brother of Jones, a member of the Tla-o-quiaht First Nation, told the inquest in Port Alberni that police fired five shots at his brother, not three as the officer testified. Lucas also claimed a Taser was deployed after Jones was shot, not before, and that police did not identify themselves at the door.
What happened on Meares Island in 2021?
Two RCMP officers responded to a 911 call at approximately 9 p.m. on Feb. 27, 2021, from a woman who reported being sexually assaulted and held against her will in Opitsaht, a small First Nations community on Meares Island near Tofino.
The RCMP officer previously testified that Jones brandished what appeared to be knives, threatened to kill the officers, and advanced on them. The objects later turned out to be long metal files used for sharpening tools.
Lucas denied any sexual assault occurred, stating he and his brother had been drinking and consuming cannabis but had not touched the woman and wanted her to leave.
What did the forensic evidence show?
Forensic pathologist Elizabeth Brooks-Lim testified that Jones sustained two gunshot paths causing major damage to his lungs and heart, wounds that would result in death nearly instantaneously. Evidence of two Taser probes was also found.
Toxicology reports showed Jones had a moderate blood alcohol level and THC in his system. Expert Aaron Shapiro noted the alcohol level could cause some degree of impairment, while THC concentrations can rise after death.
Was Jones able to understand police commands?
Probation officer David Paruk testified that Jones had profound cognitive deficits, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and an IQ of 50, making it difficult to determine whether he understood directions from authorities.
Jones's medical history included attention deficit disorder, disruptive behavior, auditory hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and a prior intentional drug overdose in 2019.
What happens next in the inquest?
The inquest continues next week in Port Alberni. A coroner's inquest does not assign fault but establishes facts and makes recommendations to prevent similar deaths.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C., the civilian body that probes police-involved deaths, cleared the officers in 2023. The RCMP lawyer highlighted Lucas's criminal record, which includes convictions for assaulting an officer, uttering threats, and unlawful entry.
This case raises serious questions about police tactics, the use of force, and how authorities handle individuals with cognitive disabilities. Americans watching this case should note the troubling pattern of escalating encounters that end in tragedy, particularly involving vulnerable populations.