Chase de Balinhard inquest hears 911 call and how officer comforted teen as he died

Detailed summary

On Feb. 9, 2025, Surrey RCMP responded to reports of a person with a weapon near an elementary school near 70 Avenue and 185 Street.

Warning: This story deals with the topic of suicide that some readers may find upsetting. Please read at your own discretion.

On the second day of the coroner’s inquest into the deadly police shooting of a 15-year-old boy, a 19-minute call made to 911 was played, along with police radio transmissions.

On Feb. 9, 2025, Surrey RCMP responded to reports of a person with a weapon close to an elementary school near 70 Avenue and 185 Street.

The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) said there was an interaction on someone’s private property between the individual and police during which an officer fired a weapon.

Fifteen-year-old Chase de Balinhard, a student at Clayton Heights Secondary School, died at the scene.

According to the evidence heard at the inquest on Tuesday, de Balinhard was happy when he left his parents’ house on Feb. 9.

A short time later, the teen called 911 and told the call taker he is autistic; he did not know his address, as his communication skills were at a Grade 1 or 2 level.

The inquest heard the teen say he has been depressed for two years; he was cutting himself and had not told his parents.

The call taker asked if de Balinhard had a pocket knife on him and he answered no, but he did have a gun that he got from his dad’s office.

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