On October 18, 2022, Burnaby RCMP were dispatched to a complaint near the intersection of Canada Way and Curle Avenue.
While there, the attending officer became engaged in an altercation with a man, which resulted in the officer being stabbed and the man being shot.
The officer has been identified as 31-year-old Const. Shaelyn Yang, who was part of the department’s outreach team and had been with them for three years.
Police say that it’s believed Yang was in the area to help a city parks staff member with a homeless encampment, when an “altercation” occurred between Yang and a man.
Yang was stabbed and taken to hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. The suspect, who was shot, was also taken to hospital, and remains there with life-threatening injuries.
Yang’s death is being investigated as a homicide by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, while the Independent Investigations Office is analyzing the suspect’s shooting.
Chief Supt. Graham de la Gorgendiere, officer in charge of the Burnaby RCMP, described Yang as a kind and compassionate person.
“Speaking about the impact in the line of duty death of one of our members is probably the most difficult thing I’ve had to do in my career,”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.