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Burnaby RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang, a Richmond resident, was killed in the line of duty yesterday.
Photo courtesy BC RCMP
RCMP officer, a Richmond resident, remembered by colleagues
Published 11:21 PDT, Wed October 19, 2022
Last Updated: 4:07 PDT, Wed October 19, 2022
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RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang, a Richmond resident who died after a stabbing incident in Burnaby yesterday, is being remembered by her colleagues.
“Const. Yang lived in Richmond and was an active volunteer. She started her career volunteering part-time with the Richmond RCMP’s victim services unit later as a full-time volunteer,” said Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald, BC RCMP Commanding Officer, in a statement.
McDonald said Yang decided to become a police officer in 2019 and began training that June, graduating in December when she was posted to Burnaby detachment. He described her as a loving wife, sister, and daughter.
“Those she worked with before joining the RCMP, and her police colleagues today, describe Const. Yang as a kind and compassionate person, which makes her death even more difficult to accept,” said McDonald.
He said Yang was partnered with a City of Burnaby employee and was engaged in her duties at a homeless camp on Gilmore Way just after 11 a.m. An altercation took place and Yang was fatally stabbed. Despite the best effort of emergency responders who attended the scene, Yang succumbed to her injuries.
The suspect was shot and injured, and they remain in hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
“Const. Yang died bravely; she answered the call to duty and paid the ultimate price,” said McDonald.
The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO BC) is now investigating the incident. A concurrent investigation into Yang’s murder is also underway and will be conducted by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
McDonald said an on-duty death is “the most difficult and heart-wrenching incident we deal with as an organization.”
He expressed gratitude to police leaders and agencies that have provided support and assistance.
“The loss of Shaelyn will be felt by so many. Her death impacts her family, friends, the wider RCMP family, and the vulnerable community she so passionately served. Her loss is immeasurable,” said McDonald.
Chief Superintendent Graham De La Gorgendiere, Burnaby RCMP Detachment Commander, said Yang was a valued member of Burnaby RCMP’s police mental health and homeless outreach team.
“Const. Yang was compassionate and caring—and she brought those skills every day to her job working with our community’s most vulnerable, including those experiencing homelessness or mental health issues,” said De La Gorgendiere. “Working with mental health and homelessness can be challenging, but Shaelyn embraced it with passion. She found value working with this team and working to help those struggling in our community.”
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