B.C.’s youth representative wants inquest into police-involved shooting death

VICTORIA – British Columbia’s representative for children and youth is calling for an inquest into the police-involved shooting death of a young Victoria man.

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond says the family of 20-year-old Rhett Mutch faced many difficulties because of his mental health challenges.

She says the mental health system must be held responsible for his treatment.

Mutch was shot and killed by Victoria police in November 2014 after his mother called 911 saying her son had broken into her house and was threatening to harm himself with a knife.

The Independent Investigations Office has cleared officers who shot Mutch when he suddenly advanced with a knife as they tried to arrest him.

Turpel-Lafond says that while she understands police are not responsible, law enforcement could learn from the tragedy and that an inquest could force the mental health system to recognize its role in the death. (CFAX)