A North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP officer will not face criminal charges after firing his weapon at a man operating a stolen Bobcat loader [2].
The decision concludes a legal review of an incident involving the use of lethal force by law enforcement against a civilian in a public space.
The shooting occurred in 2023 [1] at a neighborhood park in Duncan, British Columbia. Police were responding to reports that an individual was operating the construction vehicle while impaired [2].
According to reports, the man, identified as Davin Cochrane, was operating the stolen loader when the vehicle collided with several RCMP vehicles [2]. The officer opened fire following these collisions.
Cochrane was transported to a hospital in critical condition [1]. He was later released from the medical facility [1].
Authorities said that no criminal charges would be laid against the officer involved in the shooting [2]. The investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the discharge of the weapon and the threat posed by the heavy machinery during the encounter.
“An RCMP officer who shot Davin Cochrane... will not face criminal charges.”
This outcome reflects the legal threshold for the use of force by police in Canada, where officers are generally protected from criminal liability if their actions are deemed necessary for public safety or the protection of other officers. The use of a stolen heavy vehicle as a weapon likely influenced the decision not to pursue charges.
