A Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Jer Wood, also known as Jerry Robert Smallwood, was scheduled to get underway this morning at the Nanaimo courthouse.
Smallwood died after being fired on by RCMP officers at the Departure Bay ferry terminal in May of 2018.
After the vehicle Smallwood was driving left the ferry, officers blocked it and were attempting to arrest the 39 year old in connection with a violent car-jacking in Penticton.
RCMP officers opened fire after Smallwood picked up a handgun from the passenger seat to commit suicide.
The Independent Investigators Office cleared the officers involved of wrongdoing in October of 2018, ruling it was reasonable under the circumstances for the officers to believe their lives were at risk.
Coroner Larry Marzinzik and a jury will listen to evidence from witnesses to determine the facts in Smallwood’s death.
The jury cannot make a ruling of legal responsibility in the case, but can make recommendations to prevent deaths in similar circumstances.
The Coroners Act stipulates that inquests must be held when people die while detained by police, or in police custody.
