VANCOUVER — Today, the Criminal Justice Branch announced that the Second Degree Murder charges against Delta Police Constable Jordan MacWilliams were stayed. Consequently, Constable MacWilliams is no longer facing criminal charges arising out of the shooting death of Mr. Bayrami.
Background:
On November 8, 2012 the Municipal Integrated Emergency Response team responded to an incident occurring at the Starlight Casino. In response to the incident, Delta Police Department Constable Jordan MacWilliams, acting as a full member of the Emergency Response Team, discharged his firearm in response to the armed suspect. The suspect, Mehrdad BAYRAMI of Richmond, later died in hospital.
The Independent Investigations Office was called immediately to investigate the incident and their report was forwarded to Crown Counsel on July 12, 2013. On October 20, 2014 in New Westminster, Delta Police Department Constable Jordan MacWilliams was charged with Second Degree Murder in relation to the incident.
Chief Constable Dubord said, “Today, we feel an overwhelming sense of relief for Jordan MacWilliams, his family, the men and women of the Delta Police Department, and indeed all police officers across Canada.
The charges laid by direct indictment had the potential to deeply impact police across Canada, both operationally and psychologically. As police officers, we are called upon to make instantaneous, life-or-death decisions. We sometimes encounter violent situations that force us to react in a manner to protect the public and ourselves. Police officers across Canada continue to sign on to this job knowing that we will face risk and the resulting scrutiny.
One of the core values of the Delta Police Department is Courage, and we define courage as our ability to overcome adversity. Through these difficult and adverse times, the men and women of the Delta Police Department have held their heads high and maintained the integrity of our profession.
While we are still unable to comment on the specifics of the case as there is an ongoing Police Act investigation, we are confident in today’s decision from the Criminal Justice Branch to stay the charges against Constable MacWilliams.”
This has been a difficult and trying time for everyone – most especially Constable MacWilliams and his family, and Mr. Bayrami’s family. The Delta Police Department wishes to thank everyone for their support during this time.
