BURNABY, BC – An RCMP mental health and homeless outreach officer stabbed to death in Burnaby, BC, “died bravely,” his superior said. RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said Const.
BURNABY, BC – An RCMP mental health and homeless outreach officer stabbed to death in Burnaby, BC “died bravely,” his superior said.
RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said Const. Shaelyn Yang had been a police officer since December 2019.
McDonald said Yang was stabbed during “an altercation” while partnering with a city employee officer at a homeless encampment around 11 a.m. Tuesday.
She was pronounced dead at the hospital.
A suspect was shot and seriously injured and remains in hospital, he said during an emotional news conference.
“Agent Yang died bravely. He answered the call of duty and paid the ultimate price,” he said.
No further details of the confrontation are being released as a murder investigation continues and police watchdog investigates the shooting of the suspect, McDonald said.
People he worked with describe Yang as kind and compassionate, which makes his death even harder to accept, he said.
Burnaby Detachment Commander Chief Superintendent. Graham De La Gorgendiere said Yang’s loss is immeasurable.
“His death while on duty and serving his community is senseless and tragic,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Yang was a member of the police homeless and mental health outreach team.
“Working with mental health and homelessness can be challenging, but Shaelyn embraced it with a passion. She found value working with this team and working to help those who are struggling in our community,” said De La Gorgendiere.
He said that Yang was a loving wife, daughter and sister.
De La Gorgendiere said Yang’s sacrifice to his community will never be forgotten.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley said the city worker who was with Yang at the time of the incident was “deeply shaken”.
Hurley said he was “devastated” by Yang’s death and that the city’s thoughts were with the officer’s family and friends.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet that he was “incredibly saddened” to learn of the officer’s murder.
“My thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the fallen officer. I will keep them in my thoughts during this terrible time,” he said.
BC Attorney General Mike Farnworth said the death was “an absolutely tragic and horrific situation.”
He expressed his deepest condolences to all BC police officers on behalf of members of the legislature.
“Every day we ask thousands of uniformed men and women in this province to go out and do their duty, keeping our communities safe, keeping people safe, knowing full well that it is extremely dangerous work.”
The Metro Vancouver Transit Police Department tweeted “outrage mounts as our hearts break.”
“Our officers worked closely with her and she will be deeply missed,” the statement said.
Federal Public Security Minister Marco Mendicino said he was devastated by the news of the loss of the officer in the line of duty.
“In this difficult time, my heart goes out to the family and friends of the deceased officer and the entire RCMP Burnaby Detachment,” he said in a tweet.
Police departments from Vancouver to Ottawa also expressed their sadness at the loss on social media.
The BC Office of Independent Investigations has confirmed that it has been deployed to an incident involving police in Burnaby, but did not confirm the stabbing or whether it involved the RCMP.
The office investigates any police-related incident in BC involving serious injury or death.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on October 18, 2022.
Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian Press
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