Published • loading... • Updated
Vancouver officer tells Gray hearing no 'magic word' to de-escalate fatal situation
Eric Birzneck said officers faced uncertainty and no single de-escalation step could have prevented the struggle, as the hearing examines seven officers' conduct.
- On Wednesday, Vancouver police officer Eric Birzneck testified at a public hearing that no "magic word" could have de-escalated the 2015 arrest of Myles Gray, who died at the scene.
- Birzneck testified he and two other officers were "going into the unknown" when ascending a staircase to find Gray, who had been pacing and mumbling in response to an urgent backup call.
- The officer noted Gray displayed "pre-assault cues" including a "thousand-yard stare," clenched fists, and seemed "impervious to pain." Birzneck said he never used force beyond what was required to control Gray.
- A 2023 coroner's inquest ruled the death a homicide, noting Gray suffered injuries including a fractured eye socket and crushed voice box, though no charges were laid against officers.
- At least three other officers involved in Gray's arrest—constables Beau Spencer, Nick Thompson, and Josh Wong—are scheduled to testify at the ongoing Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner hearing.
Insights by Ground AI
6 Articles
6 Articles
Vancouver officer tells Gray hearing no 'magic word' to de-escalate fatal situation
A Vancouver police officer involved in the deadly confrontation with Myles Gray in 2015 says he doesn't believe there was a "magic word" or step that could have de-escalated the situation.
·Kelowna, Canada
Read Full Article
Officer tells Myles Gray hearing he never used excess force or lost control in arrest
One of the Vancouver police officers involved in the violent 2015 arrest of Myles Gray that ended with his death says he never used force beyond what was required to control Gray and never lost control of his emotions.
·Toronto, Canada
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources6
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Left
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Left
50% Left
L 50%
C 33%
R 17%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
