Fight in B.C. pre-trial centre results in death of inmate: police

SURREY, B.C. – Homicide detectives are investigating the death of an inmate at the Pretrial Centre in Surrey, B.C.

Police say a 25-year-old man died early Thursday morning in hospital after getting into an altercation with his cell mate on Wednesday night.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says in a news release that corrections officers intervened during a dispute between the victim and a 22-year-old man, but the man’s injuries were severe.

Cpl. Meghan Foster says IHIT is working with Surrey RCMP, the centre and the BC Coroners Service to help piece together the factors that set off the altercation.

Both men were awaiting court appearances on separate matters and investigators say neither man knew each other before getting to the jail.

Homicide-related charges haven’t yet been approved, but Foster says investigators are consulting with Crown counsel.