Police watchdog clears Enderby RCMP of wrongdoing in death of man considered threat

Officers with the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP detachment have been cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with the death of a man earlier this month in Enderby who was considered a threat to the public by police.

RCMP officers were called to a campsite near Enderby just after midnight on Aug. 5 to a report two women had been assaulted with a weapon, according to an Independent Investigations Office of BC media release. Witnesses told police the suspect had hurt himself before taking off.

Officers found the suspect a couple hours later in medical distress and provided first aid. Paramedics arrived and pronounced the man dead at the scene.

READ MORE: Man who escaped multiple assassination attempts dies in Enderby

He has been identified as Kyle Gianis, 37, one of two individuals targeted in July 31 Kelowna shooting. He was also the subject of a public warning because of his criminal activities and associates.

“Mr. Gianis poses a threat to our community and the public in general, and we are putting all our resources into investigating this newest incident,” Insp. Beth McAndie of the Kelowna RCMP said at the time.

The Iron Athletics owner was shot outside a Kelowna gym in March and survived. He was also the target of two other gangland shootings, according to the Vancouver Sun, one in 2017 and another in 2018. He was unharmed in both of those incidents.

Based on the evidence, the IIO has ruled Gianis’ death was not related to police actions and has concluded its investigation.

The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of the police in B.C. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.

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