A BC Coroners Service public inquest will examine the circumstances leading to the death of 49-year-old Craig Andrew Ford in Nanaimo in June, 2016. (NanaimoNewsNOW file photo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Public inquest

Coroners Inquest ordered into fatal police-involved shooting of man armed with knife in Nanaimo

Jan 9, 2020 | 1:29 AM

NANAIMO — A coroners inquest will examine the actions of police in the shooting death of a man armed with a knife in Nanaimo in 2016.

The BC Coroners Service announced the probe into the death of Craig Andrew Ford, 49, will begin on July 27, 2020 at the Nanaimo courthouse.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) deemed a Nanaimo Mountie acted in self-defence when he shot Ford twice when the suspect walked to the front of the officer’s car armed with a knife.

The IIO investigation stated just prior to the fatal shooting Ford refused demands from another officer to drop the knife after the Ford approached within four or five feet of the officer.

The June, 14, 2016 incident occurred behind St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church near the intersection of Country Club Dr. and Wassel Way, not far from Country Club Centre.

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A presiding coroner and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses to determine the facts around Ford’s death.

The inquest’s aim is to allow a jury to make recommendations to prevent future deaths under similar circumstances.

The Jury is not tasked with finding legal responsibility.

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