B.C. Coroners Service inquest into Julian Jones death hears officer will not testify

A British Columbia coroners inquest into the death of Julian Jones, a 28-year-old member of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation shot by RCMP in 2021, opened Tuesday in Port Alberni. The RCMP officer who fired his weapon will not be testifying: Const. David Robichaud has retired and moved out of province.

Coroners can only compel testimony from people within British Columbia. The inquest lawyer told the jury there is nothing more they can do to compel Robichaud's testimony.

The officers involved in the incident were cleared in 2023 by the civilian-led Independent Investigation Office of B.C., which investigates when police cases result in death or serious harm. The IIO report outlined that on February 27, 2021, RCMP officers took a boat to the community of Opitsaht on Meares Island, about two kilometres from Tofino, to respond to a 911 call. After two officers entered a house, one man was handcuffed and Jones was tasered when he advanced on police. Jones got back up and came towards the officers holding hand files—tools used to sharpen equipment—and he was shot several times.

The inquest will hear from other RCMP officers, witnesses to the killing, and use-of-force experts. A coroner's inquest is not designed to find fault but instead determines facts and makes recommendations to prevent future deaths under similar circumstances.

Luke Williston, a Tofino doctor who had seen Jones at a local clinic, told the jury the 28-year-old had been diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome and disruptive-behaviour disorder, had learning disabilities, and substance abuse problems involving alcohol. Probation officer David Paruk noted that Jones's cognitive deficits were profound, including fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and a very low IQ of 50.

Paruk said that delivering services where people live is critical, noting there had been no probation services in Tofino for about 20 years. He also said Indigenous programming that helps individuals deal with trauma and violence is essential.

Laura Manson, Jones's sister, described him as a kind and loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend. She said she never knew him to hold a grudge and that he was "a child at heart." Holding up a frame with photos of Jones and his family, Manson cried, saying her brother did not deserve to die.