Man hurt during arrest for alleged slurs at B.C. vigil for New Zealand victims

SURREY, B.C. — An investigation is underway after a man in Surrey, B.C., was injured while being arrested for allegedly yelling racial slurs at a prayer vigil for the victims of the New Zealand mosque attacks.

Surrey RCMP say it happened Sunday afternoon at the pre-planned event in the city’s civic plaza.

They say the man was acting suspiciously at the time.

The Independent Investigations Office confirms it has been notified and its investigators are now gathering evidence and seeking witnesses.

The office, which investigates all cases of police-involved injury or death in British Columbia, says the injury occurred as the man was being taken into custody for breach of the peace.

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A statement from the office says that during the arrest the man went to the ground and was taken to hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Surrey RCMP say in a post on their website that the office will “determine whether police actions or inactions are linked to the man’s injuries.”

The detachment says it will not make any further comment while the investigation is underway.

The Canadian Press