Statement

Statement from Superintendent Eric Rochette, officer in charge of Nanaimo RCMP

September 14, 2025 - Nanaimo, British Columbia
From: Nanaimo RCMP

Content

In response to an article from the Times Colonist published on September 14, 2025, I would like to provide important details.

While I’m mindful that this matter is still subject to ongoing processes, including a potential Coroners Inquest, I feel it’s important to address how traumatic it is when police encounters turn fatal. I also understand the family’s need for answers, and justice, but I also understand the need for process. We support the independent investigative process and the level of transparency it provides.

All police-involved shootings are tragic and have profound impacts that go beyond those directly involved. While I can only sympathize with the family and try to understand the tremendous pain and loss they’ve experienced, I must also acknowledge the emotional torment and internal struggle that our officer has had to endure as a result of what transpired that day. Not only has he been subject to an external investigation, which found his response to be both reasonable and justified, but he has also been the subject of news articles and repeated complaints have taken a significant toll on his wellbeing.

I have spoken with our officer and know that this event was not only traumatic but has continued to haunt him since. It cannot be said enough that we, the police, never want to have to make the ultimate sacrifice nor take someone’s life through the course of our duties.

When faced with what police perceive to be an imminent and deadly threat, there is often no time to deliberate or second-guess. We cannot pause the game and consider our options. We cannot ask for additional time to further inspect or assess the threat. We can only react to the threat in the manner that we are trained in order to preserve our life and keep the public safe. Our split-second decisions can have lifelong consequences, and our officer’s actions that day, despite being reasonable and justified under the law, will continue to live with him.

I urge everyone to consider the impact that opening old wounds repeatedly can have on a person, because although he was wearing a uniform that day, he is a person too. To that end, we continue to extend supports our officer as he navigates the ongoing trauma of this experience.

Superintendent Eric Rochette, officer in charge – Nanaimo RCMP

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