Mother testifies at inquest into police shooting death of B.C. teen
His mother described his autism and other challenges while urging more training for first responders and changes to better protect neurodivergent children.
- A B.C. Coroners Service inquest began Monday in Burnaby to examine the circumstances surrounding the February 2025 fatal police shooting of 15-year-old Chase de Balinhard in Surrey.
- Police responded to Clayton Heights after Chase called 911 threatening self-harm with a pellet gun, resulting in a 22-minute standoff before officers fired.
- Testifying at the inquest, Crystal de Balinhard recounted tracking her son's phone to the scene but being blocked by police who, she said, kept the family "in the dark."
- Crystal urged first responders receive training to recognize "dysregulated" autistic youth, emphasizing that parents should be contacted immediately if children in distress are identified as autistic.
- Although a December 2025 Independent Investigations Office report found the officers' actions legally justified, the inquest jury will issue recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents.
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16 Articles
Mother testifies at inquest into police shooting death of B.C. teen - Northern Sentinel
An inquest to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Surrey teen Chase de Balinhard, who was fatally shot by police in February 2025, began Nov. 9 in Burnaby. The inquest follows a December 2025 report by the Independent Investigations Office (IIO)—B.C.’s police watchdog—that found the two officers who opened fire on the autistic teen were legally justified. Separate from the IIO investigation, the inquest does not look at criminal o…
Mother testifies during inquest into shooting death of Chase de Balinhard
An inquest to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Surrey teen Chase de Balinhard, who was fatally shot by police in February 2025, began Nov. 9 in Burnaby. The inquest follows a December 2025 report by the Independent Investigations Office (IIO)—B.C.’s police watchdog—that found the two officers who opened fire on the autistic teen were legally justified. Separate from the IIO investigation, the inquest does not look at criminal o…
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