A female Burnaby RCMP officer is dead following a fatal stabbing at a city park near Canada Way and Willingdon Avenue.
Burnaby RCMP revealed that an officer, Constable Shaelyn Yang, was murdered following an altercation with a camper at Broadview Park. According to the BC RCMP, Yang became entangled during the altercation, which resulted in Yang being stabbed and the camper being shot. She was only 31 years old.
The homeless camper who was shot is in hospital but expected to survive.
We offer our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Constable Shaelyn Yang in Burnaby, BC, who was killed on duty today. Our thoughts are with everyone who knew her during this difficult time. #HeroesInLife pic.twitter.com/PZDZFsgJSU
— RCMP (@rcmpgrcpolice) October 19, 2022
Yang was a member of the RCMP mental health and outreach team and someone RCMP officers described as a compassionate person who cared a lot about her community. She started as a volunteer in Richmond, where she also lived.
RCMP commissioner Dwayne McDonald called the incident “senseless and tragic.”
Former RCMP Sergeant Elenore Sturko offered her condolences to the family.
My deepest condolences to the family, friends, and all members of the @BurnabyRCMP who have lost a loved one, and fellow officer in the line of duty to our province. Thank you for your service. #bcpoli
— Elenore Sturko (@elenoresturko) October 18, 2022
BC Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth released a statement on the incident.
Today’s event that unfolded in Burnaby is awful and tragic, the worst news any one wants to happen.
Our hearts go out to the Burnaby RCMP officers, family, friends and fellow police officers.
Every day our police officers respond to serve every day, no matter how demanding or
— Mike Farnworth (@mikefarnworthbc) October 18, 2022
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also reacted to the incident.
I’m incredibly saddened to hear about the killing of a @BurnabyRCMP officer. My thoughts are with the family, friends, and colleagues of the fallen officer – I am keeping you in my thoughts during this terrible time. https://t.co/E2xdbYOvI1
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 18, 2022
Burnaby mayor shares more details
We are devastated to hear of the death of a Burnaby RCMP member today in the line of duty.
Our thoughts are with her family, friends, fellow RCMP members and civilian staff during this terrible time.— Burnaby Mayor’s Office (@MayorofBurnaby) October 18, 2022
Daily Hive spoke with Burnaby mayor Mike Hurley, who said the incident began when a city worker approached a person camping in Broadview Park. Hurley suggests that the worker, a City of Burnaby employee within the parks department, approached the camper to help them find housing and ask them to move “hopefully into a shelter.”
“They went to check on the person, as would be normal for our team,” Hurley said, adding that is when the incident occurred.
According to Hurley, mental health support will be extended to all City of Burnaby staff.
“A young police officer went to work this morning and unfortunately didn’t go home this evening. And that’s devastating for all of us,” Hurley said.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation team has been deployed and has taken over the investigation.