Killing of Jared Lowndes
On July 8, 2021, Jared Lowndes, 38, a member of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation, was fatally shot by RCMP officers in Campbell River, British Columbia. Lowndes had two children and connections to the Homalco First Nation. He had spent most of his life in Vancouver but had lived in Campbell River for six years. He had previously alleged mistreatment by the RCMP, including an open letter in January 2021 describing harsh conditions in custody and concerns for his safety. He had a firearms-related conviction from 2020 based on offenses from 2013.
The shooting happened in two encounters. Earlier that morning, an RCMP officer stopped Lowndes’s Audi after a collision with a police cruiser. Later, around 9:00 am, a larger group of RCMP confronted Lowndes outside a Tim Hortons, stating they were pursuing an outstanding warrant. Lowndes tried to leave again but was blocked. A police dog, named Gator, was brought into the vehicle and used after Lowndes allegedly used bear spray on officers. One officer was injured during the incident, and a dog died after being pushed out of the car by Lowndes. The RCMP say Lowndes grabbed a knife, stabbed the dog, and then moved toward the passenger side, prompting a standoff. They say Lowndes shouted, “shoot me, kill me,” and a Taser was used, though Lowndes allegedly cut the wires. He was shot twice in the back and died at the scene. Family members have said he was shot in the face.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) opened an inquiry the day of the killing. In December 2022, the IIO said there were reasonable grounds to believe three officers may have committed offences related to various uses of force and began preparing a report for Crown Counsel. The IIO completed its report in October 2023 and forwarded its findings to the British Columbia Prosecution Service.
On April 23, 2024, the BC Prosecution Service announced it would not lay charges against the three Campbell River RCMP officers. The service said the available evidence did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officers committed offences in relation to Lowndes’s death. The decision noted that while some elements of the case involved controversial actions, such as the use of a police dog inside a vehicle, the evidence did not show the force used was unreasonable or unnecessary given the perceived threat.
Reaction to the case was mixed. The First Nations Leadership Council condemned the killing and called for accountability, including a public inquest and body-worn cameras for police. Some activists criticized the use of police dogs and the rapid escalation to deadly force, while others defended the officers’ actions as necessary under the circumstances. The RCMP faced protests and community scrutiny, and family members, especially Lowndes’s mother, Laura Holland, became vocal advocates for justice. Activists and organizations supported the IIO’s findings, while noting concerns about accountability and ongoing policing practices. A memorial and a website, Justice For Jared, were created to keep attention on the case.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 12:04 (CET).