By Canadian Press

Coroner’s inquest to probe death of B.C. man shot dozens of times by police in 2018

Apr 19, 2024 | 10:36 AM

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — The British Columbia Coroners Service says it will hold an inquest into the death of a man who died in a hail of police gunfire after starting a shootout with RCMP officers in Kamloops. 

The service says the inquest will begin on May 6 at the Kamloops law courts to determine the facts related to the death of 35-year-old Eugene Marcano, who was shot and killed by Mounties on Sept. 14, 2018. 

A report from B.C.’s Independent Investigations Office in 2019 says Marcano initiated a shootout with Kamloops RCMP officers, who had responded to a call about a truck and trailer parked in a remote location and a man who appeared to be intoxicated. 

The report says Marcano became agitated while interacting with the officers and retreated into the trailer before opening fire on the Mounties with a shotgun. 

It says officers returned fire with their service pistols and a rifle, hitting Marcano dozens of times. 

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Lansdowne project a nightmare to deal with

1h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Feel good about growing food indoors

17h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: B.C.'s new industrial blueprint

20h ago

The Independent Investigations Officer report says the officers were justified in returning fire, acting in self-defence after making “routine inquiries” about a man apparently camping on private land in somewhat suspicious circumstances.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2024. 

The Canadian Press