Two RCMP officers arrived in the remote island First Nations community of Opitsaht and within five minutes, shots were fired that killed a Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation man, as revealed by Cpl. Daniel Macintosh during a coroner’s inquest into the death of Julian Jones. The officers responded to reports of a woman being assaulted and confined in a home on the island around 9 p.m. PT on Feb. 27, 2021.
Coroner’s inquest is focused on examining the circumstances surrounding Jones’s death and aims to provide non-binding recommendations to prevent similar incidents without assigning blame or criminality. Const. David Robichaud, who fired the fatal shots at Jones, retired from the RCMP and relocated out of the province, declining to testify despite a summons.
The Independent Investigations Office did not suggest charges against the officers following an investigation. Jones, with a history of offenses including assaulting a Tofino RCMP officer, was prohibited from contacting several RCMP officers, including Robichaud, according to his parole officer David Paruk.
During the incident at the Opitsaht residence, within a minute, Macintosh mentioned that they encountered a darkened home with sounds of distress inside. When they knocked, a woman cried for help, and men’s voices and furniture movements were heard. Subsequently, John Lucas Jr., Jones’s brother, was arrested by Robichaud, leading to a confrontation where Jones threatened the officers.
Macintosh described an encounter where Jones brandished what appeared to be knives made of metal objects and advanced towards them despite verbal warnings. Robichaud used a Taser on Jones, who fell but then rose and moved towards the officers, prompting further action. Macintosh testified that it was the first time in his career that he felt his life was in danger.
As the situation escalated, Robichaud fired at Jones before Macintosh could react fully, with additional shots fired as Jones continued forward. Jones ultimately fell to the ground, prompting his mother to rush to his aid. Macintosh retrieved metal files from Jones’s hand, realizing their nature, and attempted to assist but concluded that administering first aid could worsen Jones’s condition.
Macintosh reflected during the inquest that the outcome could have been different if the woman reporting the assault had left the house upon the officers’ arrival, providing an opportunity to de-escalate the situation. He also mentioned that having an additional Taser could have offered an alternative in handling the incident. Robichaud swiftly transferred out of the Tofino RCMP post the shooting, hastening his departure from the community.
The inquest proceedings are set to continue on Thursday.
