British ColumbiaThe B.C. Coroners Service will begin an inquest next year into the fatal police shooting of a 15-year-old boy in Surrey in February.15-year-old De Balinhard died on Feb. 9 after police responded to mental health callNick Logan · CBC News · Posted: Dec 08, 2025 7:19 PM EST | Last Updated: 7 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Chase de Balinhard, a Surrey teen who was fatally shot by police in February, was remembered by a friend as “a really funny person” who “always brought joy.” The province has announced a coroners inquest into the case. (GoFundMe.ca)WARNING: This story contains details about a fatal police-involved shooting and threats of suicide and self-harm. The B.C. Coroners Service will begin an inquest next year into the fatal police shooting of a 15-year-old boy in Surrey in February.B.C.’s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced the inquest on Monday, less than a week after the province’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO) cleared members of the RCMP in the Feb. 9 death of Chase de Balinhard. According to an IIO report released on Dec. 4, police responded to a 911 call from de Balinhard saying he had a firearm and was threatening to harm himself.Flowers are pictured at the scene of the fatal shooting near 185 Street and 70 Street in Surrey on Feb. 10. (Ben Nelms/CBC)The report indicated de Balinhard had autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and had told the 911 operator that he did not trust police. It stated B.C. RCMP officers responded along with Car 67 — the police mental health outreach unit that includes a mental health nurse — but two officers shot at the teen after he pointed what appeared to be a gun. It was later determined to be a replica.The Grade 10 student was declared dead at the scene. While the IIO report did not name de Balinhard, family later identified him as the teen who was shot.In its report, the IIO determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe police officers committed any offence in the shooting.”The responding officers were acting in the lawful execution of their duty in attempting to apprehend the [teen], who was reasonably understood to be in possession of a loaded firearm and intending to harm himself with it in a public place,” the report read.The site of the fatal police shooting, near 185 Street and 70 Avenue in Surrey, is photographed on Feb. 10. (Ben Nelms/CBC)A coroner’s inquest aims to determine facts related to a death, make recommendations to prevent similar deaths and to ensure public confidence in the process. Such inquests are mandatory under the Coroners Act whenever a person dies while detained by or in custody of law enforcement. They do not assign fault.The release says a presiding coroner and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath, but it does specify the exact date for when the inquest will take place. WATCH | Surrey teen mourned after fatal police shooting:Vigil for Surrey teen killed Sunday during confrontation with policeFamily and friends of Chase de Balinhard, the 15-year-old who was shot and killed after a confrontation with Surrey police on Sunday, gather to remember the teen at a vigil in the Clayton Heights neighbourhood. If you or someone you know is struggling, here’s where to look for help:Canada’sSuicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988.Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling onthe website.Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention:Find a 24-hour crisis centre.This guide from theCentre for Addiction and Mental Healthoutlines how to talk about suicide with someone you’re worried about.ABOUT THE AUTHORNick Logan is a senior writer with CBC based in Vancouver. He is a multi-platform reporter and producer, with a particular focus on international news. You can reach out to him at nick.logan@cbc.ca.With files from Courtney Dickson, CBC News and The Canadian Press
Inquest announced into fatal police shooting of Surrey teen Chase de Balinhard
