Langley RCMP Cleared of Wrongdoing in Man’s Death by BC Police Watchdog

British Columbia’s civilian police watchdog has cleared the RCMP of any wrongdoing in a fatal standoff last year with a man in the Langley area.

Don Bennett was found dead in the aftermath of a fire at a rural property on Langley’s 0 Avenue on the U.S. border on Nov. 10, 2023. While neither the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) nor the RCMP identified the man, his family has provided his name in media reports.

The report indicated that the incident began after Mr. Bennett’s employer received several text messages that were potentially threatening and suicidal on the morning of Nov. 10.

Subsequent comments from Mr. Bennett included expressions like, “I don’t care if I die … you deliberately destroyed my life … you pushed me too far … I’m losing control.”

Upon receiving the concerning messages, the employer contacted the police out of fear that the texts indicated a threat to the workplace or staff. Langley RCMP responded to the large commercial building where Mr. Bennett resided, which also housed vehicles and equipment storage.

Related Stories

Upon arrival, the police found the building’s door padlocked with no sign of Mr. Bennett. They made efforts to locate him by “pinging” his mobile phone but were unsuccessful.

Returning to the building later, around 2 p.m., they observed a pit bull emerging into a fenced area, with another dog barking inside.

Police reached out to the Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS) for assistance with the dogs, managing to secure the first dog using a catch pole.

Together with LAPS staff, officers entered the building and called out to inform Mr. Bennett of their presence to check on his well-being.

Once inside, they discovered a small plywood room where the second dog was barking. As LAPS officers attempted to maneuver a catchpole through a partially open door, a gunshot was heard, and an animal protection officer reported being hit by debris from the door.

Subsequently, police and LAPS officers retreated, and an emergency response team (ERT) was summoned.

The report mentioned that despite continuous calls from the ERT for Mr. Bennett to surrender peacefully and avoid further harm, he remained unresponsive, with additional gunshots originating from inside the building.

Drone footage reviewed by the IIO displayed Mr. Bennett shooting at the drone with a rifle, as well as setting fire to furniture and dispersing burning materials within the room. He also appeared to be spreading an accelerant on the floor.

Due to the growing fire, firefighters were prevented from entering the property by the police, citing the risk of potential gunshots directed at them.

Eventually, the ERT attempted to evict Mr. Bennett using an armored vehicle to create an entry point by breaking a wall and introducing a chemical gas.

By 11 p.m., the building was consumed by flames, as noted in the report.

Several days passed before investigators could inspect the charred property. Among the remnants found were a rifle and spent cartridge casings in one section of the building. Mr. Bennett’s remains were discovered at the opposite end, with an autopsy unable to conclusively determine the cause of death, although it suggested fire as the likely cause.

The report concluded by stating that there was no evidence implicating the police in Mr. Bennett’s demise or any criminal misconduct. When a shot was fired through the door, posing a danger to the lives of officers and animal protection personnel, Mr. Bennett’s actions made him subject to arrest for a serious offense, justifying the use of necessary force by the police.

It further stated, “Once the building was engulfed in flames with an armed and resistant Mr. Bennett inside, it was unsafe for firefighters to enter without significant risks to themselves.”

The report was signed by Sandra J. Hentzen, the IIO’s interim chief civilian director.