B.C.'s police watchdog is investigating a police-involved incident that ended with a man’s death at a North Burnaby Starbucks early Friday morning.
Police were called to the Starbucks in Kensington Plaza at 6500 Hastings St. just before 6 a.m. for an "overdosing man" who had reportedly been in a physical altercation with an employee “at a local business,” according to a news release put out by B.C. RCMP Friday afternoon.
“When the man was being apprehended, he began to show signs of medical distress,” stated the release.
Paramedics attempted to revive the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the RCMP.
The Independent Investigations Office is now investigating to determine whether police actions are linked to the man’s death.
“As the matter is now under investigation by the IIO BC, no further information will be released by police,” stated the RCMP release.
The IIO investigates police-involved incidents that result in death or serious harm.
This isn't the first time the Kensington Plaza Starbucks has been shut down for a major police investigation.
In July 2017, 22-year-old Michael Page-Vincelli died after being sucker-punched by the boyfriend of a woman he had gotten into an argument with.
Lawrence Sharpe, who was 40 years old at the time of the killing, was found guilty of manslaughter in the case and sentenced to two years in jail and two years of probation.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
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