RCMP say a man has been charged with murder after a Mountie was shot and killed in Coquitlam on Friday.
Const. Rick O’Brien was killed while officers were executing a search warrant at a home in Coquitlam, as part of a drug investigation that originated in Maple Ridge.
While there, police say officers got into an altercation with a man, resulting in O’Brien being fatally shot.
Two other officers were also injured in the incident, including one officer who was also shot. Both have been released from hospital as of Saturday.
Meanwhile, the suspect in the shooting was also shot and injured himself, and was taken to hospital Friday.
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Police say charges have now been approved against the suspect, 25-year-old Nicholas Bellemare of Coquitlam, who remains in custody.
He has been charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder with a firearm.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
“This is a profound loss and I understand it will have a lasting effect on Const. O’Brien’s family, friends, colleagues and the community,” said Supt. Mandeep Mooker, officer in charge of the B.C. RCMP Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
“We wish to send our sincere condolences to everyone impacted by this tragic event.”
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Const. Rick (Fredrick) O’Brien is pictured. (B.C. RCMP)
IHIT is leading the investigation into the incident, alongside partners with the Ridge Meadows and Coquitlam RCMP detachments, the integrated forensic identification section and the BC Coroners Service.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is also running its own investigation into the matter, as its mandate is to review every police-involved incident that results in serious harm or death.
Anyone with information on Friday’s shooting is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-4448 or by email at ihitinfo-grc.gc.ca.
Adam Chan
