Overnight on March 2nd, the Saanich Police Department was contacted by RCMP E Div. to assist with conducting an external investigation into a police involved shooting in Surrey. Saanich Police and Central Saanich Police investigators arrived at the scene of the shooting Thursday morning, March 3rd, by RCMP helicopter.
At approximately 11pm, on March 2nd, a lethal force encounter occurred between a Surrey Detachment officer and the deceased at the intersection of King George Highway and Highway 10. The vehicle was deliberately contacted by an RCMP vehicle forcing it to the side of the road. An encounter leading to the RCMP officer discharging his firearm then occurred. A short time before, and some distance away, the white Chrysler 300 had been stopped by another officer who observed the driver in possession of a firearm
The deceased has been identified as Adam Brian Purdie, a 28 year old Surrey resident. Purdie has a well documented history with Lower Mainland police agencies. He had been battling drug addiction issues and it is believed that recent events in his life may have contributed to a relapse.
There were two firearms recovered from Purdie’s vehicle. One was an assault style rifle located in his possession. The rifle was found to have been pointing in the direction of where the RCMP officer was located. The second firearm was a realistic replica pistol, located near to the deceased.
Investigative sections working at the direction of the Saanich Police Major Crimes Unit include the Central Saanich Police and municipal IHIT members from the Abbotsford Police, New Westminster Police and Port Moody Police services. Other units include the Lower Mainland Integrated Forensic investigators, Firearms Section, RCMP Air Support and the Technical Crimes Unit.
Currently investigators are conducting numerous interviews with those involved in this incident and witnesses. Investigators are working to establish a timeline of events and a history of what happened in the days and hours leading up to this encounter.
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