Tributes Pour In For 'Compassionate & Caring' BC RCMP Officer Who Was Killed On Duty
Tributes are being paid to a "kind and compassionate" Burnaby RCMP officer that was killed while on duty at a homeless camp in the city yesterday morning. The officer's colleagues, members of the community, and political leaders such as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have expressed condolences.
The officer, who has now been named as 31-year-old Constable Shaelyn Yang, worked as part of the detachment's mental health and homeless outreach team.
In a press conference, Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, the commanding officer of RCMP in B.C., said Yang was a "loving wife, sister and daughter" and a "kind and compassionate person."
"Constable Yang died bravely. She answered the call to duty today and she paid the ultimate price," he said. "Her loss is immeasurable."
Chief Superintendent Graham De La Gorgendiere said Yang was "compassionate and caring."
"She brought those skills every day to her job working with the community's most vulnerable, including those experiencing homelessness and dealing with mental health issues," he added.
"The hours, weeks, and months ahead will be difficult," he said.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley said he was "devastated" to hear about Yang's death.
Among those to pay their respects were Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.
Constable Yang became a police officer three years ago, after volunteering in Richmond.
What happened to Constable Shaelyn Yang?
Yang was responding to a complaint at a homeless camp near the intersection of Canada Way and Curle Avenue, at about 11 a.m. on October 18. An altercation took place and she was fatally stabbed.
In a statement, Burnaby RCMP said the man allegedly involved in the altercation was shot.
Both were taken to the hospital, but Yang succumbed to her injuries.
The incident and the actions of the police are being investigated by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia.
