Vancouver officer testifies in fatal 2015 arrest hearing

Testimony has begun in a hearing conducted by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner regarding the 2015 fatal arrest of Myles Gray in Vancouver. The hearing aims to determine if seven officers involved intentionally or recklessly used unnecessary force during the altercation.

Constable Eric Birzneck, the first officer to testify, denied using excessive force or losing emotional control. His lawyer, Mike Shirreff, stated that Birzneck was met with aggression and used force only when an assault seemed imminent. Birzneck testified that Gray displayed pre-assault cues, such as clenched fists and spitting, and noted that Gray appeared to have incredible strength and was impervious to pain.

While a previous police disciplinary process found no misconduct and no charges were laid, a 2023 coroner’s inquest ruled Gray’s death a homicide. The inquest detailed severe injuries sustained by Gray, including a fractured eye socket and a crushed voice box. Other officers involved in the incident are scheduled to testify.