13.6°C Vancouver

Oct 19, 2022 1:21 AM - Connect News

BC RCMP statements regarding loss of Burnaby RCMP Officer

Share On
bc-rcmp-statements-regarding-loss-of-burnaby-rcmp-officer
Burnaby RCMP Cst. Shaelyn Yang. (Photo - BC RCMP/Twitter)

Statement from Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, BC RCMP Commanding Officer

I am Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, the Commanding Officer of the BC RCMP.

It is with a deep and profound sadness that I must advise the public of the homicide of Burnaby RCMP Cst. Shaelyn Yang that occurred this morning in the line of duty.

This is an extremely difficult and tragic day for the BC RCMP and members of Burnaby Detachment.

I have spoken with acting RCMP Commissioner Brian Brennan and he has kindly offered any and all support necessary.

It is with deep sorrow that I stand here today with Burnaby’s Officer-in-Charge, Chief Superintendent Graham De La Gorgendiere to announce this terrible news.

I join with him and the Commissioner in expressing our heartfelt condolences to Cst. Yang’s family and extended family, friends and colleagues.

Cst. Yang lived in Richmond and was an active volunteer. She started her career volunteering part time with the Richmond RCMP’s Victim Services unit later as a full-time volunteer.

In 2019, she decided to become a police officer and entered training at Depot in June of that same year. Cst. Yang graduated in December as a member of Troop 8 and was posted to Burnaby Detachment. She was a loving wife, sister and daughter.

Those she worked with before joining the RCMP and her police colleagues today, describe Cst. Yang as a kind and compassionate person, which makes her death even more difficult to accept.

As to the investigation, there are few details we can provide at this time, but what I can tell you is, at approximately 11:05 a.m., Cst. Yang, partnered with a City of Burnaby employee, and was engaged in her duties at a homeless camp on Gilmore Way. An altercation took place, and Cst. Yang was fatally stabbed. Emergency responders attended the scene and despite their best efforts, Cst. Yang succumbed to her injuries.

The suspect associated to the file was also shot and injured – they remain in hospital with non-life threatening injuries. I can also tell you that Cst. Yang died bravely; she answered the call to duty and paid the ultimate price. The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO BC) is now investigating the incident.

A concurrent investigation into the murder of Cst. Yang is also underway and will be conducted by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).

As the Commanding Officer of the BC RCMP, I can tell you that an on-duty death is the most difficult and heart-wrenching incident we deal with as an organization. Each and every day, police officers say good bye to their loved ones and go off to work to serve their communities with commitment and in Cst. Yang’s case compassion for the people she served.

I also want to thank the many police leaders who have offer their condolences and support and for those agencies that responded and assisted us, and continue to assist us, in our time of need.

The loss of Shaelyn will be felt by so many. Her death impacts her family, friends, the wider RCMP family, and the vulnerable community she so passionately served. Her loss is immeasurable.

Latest news

police-cleared-in-fatal-2024-shooting-of-woman-in-surrey-b-c
BCSep 26, 2025

Police cleared in fatal 2024 shooting of woman in Surrey, B.C.

British Columbia's independent police watchdog says an officer was justified in using lethal force in the fatal shooting of a woman threatening her baby.The Independent Investigations Office says in a report released Friday that on Sept. 19, 2024, the Surrey, B.C., officer shot the woman who was holding scissors to her baby's neck.The report says the situation was made worse because the woman spoke little to no English, and there were no Spanish speaking services available other than the use of Google translate.Police had responded to a call after someone reported the woman breaking things and
vpd-investigates-pedestrian-fatality
BCSep 26, 2025

VPD investigates pedestrian fatality

Vancouver Police are investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred last night, and are asking anyone with information to call police. The pedestrian, a 38-year-old man, was struck by a white Tesla at the intersection of Terminal Avenue and Western Street September 25 just before 8:30 p.m. Despite life-saving attempts from first responders, the pedestrian died at the scene. The driver of the Tesla remained at the scene. Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the collision. Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012.
canada-not-part-of-mass-walkout-when-israel-pm-netanyahu-spoke-at-un-general-assembly
CanadaSep 26, 2025

Canada not part of mass walkout when Israel PM Netanyahu spoke at UN General Assembly

Canada was not part of a mass walkout this morning during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly. The office of Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae says he remained seated during Netanyahu's address as dozens of diplomats from other countries walked out of the chamber. The official presiding over the speeches had to call for order multiple times as delegations, including many from developing countries, rose to leave the room. In his speech, Netanyahu said the "disgraceful decision" by countries like Canada to recognize a Palestinian state will encour
talks-to-resume-between-b-c-government-and-its-public-service-union
BCSep 26, 2025

Talks to resume between B.C. government and its public service union

Talks are resuming between the union representing British Columbia's public service workers and the provincial government. Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees' Union, says the government has reached out to the union saying it has a new offer and negotiations will start again on Monday. Finch says union pickets will remain up. The union has been conducting escalating strike action over the last four weeks, with up to 15,000 workers conducting job actions including picketing and overtime bans. Finch told a gathering in Victoria that there has been unprecedented level
WorldSep 26, 2025

Transportation Department tightens noncitizen truck driver rules after fatal crash in Florida

The Transportation Department will immediately tighten up the requirements for non-citizens to get commercial drivers licenses after three fatal crashes this year in Florida, Texas and Alabama that officials say were caused by immigrant truck drivers who never should have received licenses. The nationwide audit of these licenses began after a fatal U-turn crash in Florida that killed two people caused by a truck driver who officials said was in the country illegally. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said also threatened to revoke $160 million in federal funding for California because inve

Related News