Man who died in rampage at First Nation office near Lillooet identified

LILLOOET – The man who died following a rampage at a B.C. First Nation band office near Lillooet has been named by the B.C. Coroners Service.

David Allan Patrick James, 22, of Lillooet, was involved in an incident involving both civilians and RCMP members at the Xwisten First Nation in Bridge River, about nine kilometres northwest of Lillooet, according to a media release.

James went from office to office beating employees with a weapon before he could be stopped, says band chief Susan James.

The attack left 11 people injured. James was also a member of the band and is reported to have used a hammer.

RCMP say they were called just before 8:30 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 14, to a report of a man with a weapon at the Bridge River Indian Band.

Officers arrived to find the suspect restrained. He was arrested, but police say they were unable to transport him because he was unconscious and unresponsive. He could not be revived.

James’ death has prompted an investigation by B.C.'s Independent Investigations Office, which is called after serious police-involved incidents.

The coroners service is also part of the investigation.

“The B.C. Coroners Service will look at the events which led up to the final fatal outcome and whether there are reasonable and practical recommendations that could be made which might prevent future deaths in similar circumstances,” coroners service spokesperson Barb McLintock says in a media release.

— With files from The Canadian Press.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.