Independent MLA Elenore Sturko is demanding a coroner’s inquest into the death of 15-year-old Chase De Balinhard, who was fatally shot by police in Surrey’s Clayton Heights on Feb. 9, 2025.
In a statement issued Oct. 2, Sturko criticized Premier David Eby’s government for what she described as a refusal to commit to transparency. She argued that while the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) continues its probe into the officer-involved shooting, there is no legal barrier preventing the province from also ordering a coroner’s inquest.
“In these circumstances, where a young boy with autism died so tragically, a coroner’s inquest is the sort of fact-finding inquiry that can help maintain public trust,” Sturko said. “Parents deserve answers, not months of silence.”
The MLA noted that an IIO investigation focuses on whether police actions were lawful, while a coroner’s inquest is a public process that examines the broader circumstances of a death and can lead to recommendations to prevent future tragedies.
Sturko emphasized that the De Balinhard family has waited nearly eight months with limited answers, calling on the NDP government to reconsider its position.
“The death of a child is every parent’s worst nightmare,” she added. “Particularly in this case, where their son was shot by police, the least government can do is provide clarity and transparency.”
The court-ordered inquest, if approved, would publicly review evidence surrounding the teen’s death and potentially make policy recommendations regarding police interactions with vulnerable youth.
