As a citizen of Campbell River, I have been following the controversy about the death of Jared Lowndes by the RCMP.
As much as I sympathize with Jared’s family about the loss of their loved one, I do not support their belief that racism resulted in his death.
According to the facts, Jared had an outstanding warrant for breaching a court order. When he was approached by an RCMP officer at 5:30 a.m., rather than surrender, he sped away while damaging a police car.
When he was later located at a Tim Horton’s drive-through, he was boxed in and ordered to surrender. Once again he refused, at which time when an officer approached him. Jared sprayed the officer with bear spray so the officer retreated.
The canine officer now sent his police dog to try to end this confrontation. What did Jared do? He stabbed the police dog to death.
When the police used a taser in an attempt to bring him under control he cut the taser wires and stabbed the officer in the hand. At this time, with his knife still in his hand, Jared was shot by the RCMP.
Throughout this terrible loss of life, I do not see how any of it is related to race. The RCMP were doing their job by attempting to apprehend a citizen with an outstanding warrant. His race was of no consequence. If Jared had surrendered when first approached, he would still be alive.
As much as I have sympathy for Jared’s family on their loss to blame systemic racism as the cause is unfair. However, I do believe that in the future, the new policy of having a psychiatric nurse ride with police officers could help defuse such deadly confrontations, however, I do believe the RCMP dealt with this situation as it occurred and not because of Jared’s race.
Doug Puritch
Campbell River