Warning: This story discusses intimate partner violence that may be triggering for some readers.
The police watchdog investigation into the September fatal police shooting of Vanessa Renteria Valencia is still in the early stages – nearly five months after the Colombian newcomer was shot dead in her home in Surrey.
In the early morning hours of Sept. 19, 2024, Surrey RCMP received a call about a "disturbance" at a home in Cloverdale, in the 6200 block of 180A Street.
Police say a woman had barricaded herself in a room with a toddler and was allegedly holding a weapon near the child. Less than an hour later, at about 5:30 a.m., an officer shot the woman, who died at the scene.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) was notified of the incident shortly after and started an investigation.
The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.
The Surrey Now-Leader reached out to the IIO on Feb. 12 for an update on the file; however, a spokesperson said the IIO could not give a timeline for when the investigation may be completed because of the "complex nature" of the incident. They added the IIO will not be releasing any further information at this time and that any future updates will be posted on its website.
(The IIO does not confirm the identity of victims in its investigations. However, Renteria Valencia's identity was previously confirmed by family, friends and advocacy groups following her death.)
Family and friends described Rentería Valencia as a loving mother who came to Canada in 2022 from Colombia. She was an active community member and was set to start English lessons the week after she died.
Shortly after her death, many community organizations rallied to expose how the system failed Rentería Valencia on multiple fronts before that fatal confrontation.
Advocates said that Renteria Valencia had, for at least two months, been staying in a temporary shelter but had left the shelter in late August and returned to the home where she lived with her husband and brother-in-law.
It is believed that the week she died, she went to a friend and told them she wanted to leave her home as she did not feel safe. Renteria Valencia went back to her home on Sept. 18 to retrieve some belongings, and when she did not return to her friend's home, the friend called the police to check on her, Rosa Elena Arteaga, with Battered Women’s Support Services, said in a previous interview.
HELP FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
If you or someone you know needs help with an abusive home situation, resources are available:
SURREY WOMEN'S CENTRE
Surrey Women’s Centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support women and girls facing gender-based violence and to help care for women and children escaping violence.
- surreywomenscentre.ca
- info@surreywomenscentre.ca
- 604-589-1868
BATTERED WOMEN'S SUPPORT SERVICES
BWSS offers support and assistance for those in crisis, including community resources and referrals to transition houses, lawyers and medical services.
- Crisis Line at 604-687-1867 (Metro Vancouver) or toll-free, 1-855-687-1868
- Email: intake@bwss.org
- Website : bwss.org
