Lillooet band office attacker’s death not linked to police response, IIO finds

David Allan Patrick James, 22, died after he allegedly entered the band office with weapons on Oct. 14

David James, 22, has been identified as the man behind an attack in Lillooet, B.C. (CBC News, submitted by the James family)

CBC News, Oct 20, 2015

B.C.’s civilian police watchdog (IIO) has found police were not connected to the death of a man who viciously attacked the Bridge River Indian Band office near Lillooet, B.C. earlier this month.

David Allan Patrick James, 22, died after he allegedly entered the band office with weapons just before 8:30 a.m. PT on Oct. 14, and assaulted staff, sending 11 people to hospital.

David James identified as man behind Lillooet attack

Investigators enter the Bridge River Indian Band office where one man died and nine others were injured following an attack, near Lillooet, B.C., on Wednesday October 14, 2015. A man suspected in a violent assault is dead and 10 others are hurt after an attack that reportedly involved a hammer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Cuts to welfare funding has created an impossible situation on reserve, chiefs say

CBC News, Oct 16, 2015

The man who died following an attack at the Xwisten/ Bridge River Indian Band near Lillooet Wednesday has been identified as David Allan Patrick James.

James, 22, died after being restrained following a vicious attack that sent 11 people to hospital. Three victims remain in serious condition.

James was a member of the band community, and had been identified as someone needing help, according to a statement released by a coalition of First Nations organizations Friday.

Lillooet Bridge River Band attack leaves 4 people still in hospital

Investigators enter the Bridge River Indian Band office where one man died and nine others were injured following an attack, near Lillooet, B.C., on Wednesday October 14, 2015. A man suspected in a violent assault is dead and 10 others are hurt after an attack that reportedly involved a hammer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Police found suspect had been subdued by staff at B.C. band office

CBC News, Oct 15, 2015

Four people remain in hospital following an attack at the Bridge River Band Office near Lillooet, B.C., yesterday that ended with the death of the suspect.

Two patients remain in critical condition, one is in serious condition and one is dealing with non-life-threatening injuries, according to B.C.’s Interior Health Authority.

Seven victims have already been released from hospital.

Lillooet Bridge River Indian band office attacked: 1 dead, 10 injured

Xwisten First Nation band office, where 10 people were injured by an attacker.

Attack sends 10 people to hospital, suspect ‘restrained’ before police arrive

CBC News, Oct 14, 2015

The alleged suspect in an attack on a band office near Lillooet, B.C. is dead following a rampage that injured at least 10 people, RCMP say.

Lillooet RCMP say a man entered the Xwisten (Bridge River Band) office with weapons just before 8:30 a.m. PT. Wednesday and assaulted staff.

The Canadian Press reported that an emergency worker, who didn’t want to be named, said the man apparently attacked one person with a hammer, and when others in the office went to help they were also beaten.

St’at’imc re-occupation aims to stop logging, call for support

Christine Jack, on right, at Junction Creek, Xwisten Territory in the St’at’imc nation, March 16, 2015.

From Voice of the Voiceless, Junction Creek (Xwisten Territory, St’at’imc Nation), April 13, 2015

URGENT!!!
We have heard that Aspen Planers is going to start logging at Lac Le Mer, very near the camp, this week! We think they will be trying to start at Junction Creek too. Christine Jack who has been living at the camp is requesting support. We need more people up there ASAP!!!!

Voices of the Voiceless camp is an Indigenous re-occupation of Junction Creek area in Xwisten territory, St’at’imc Nation. This camp was set up on March 16th under the direction of Xwisten elders to stop the logging by Aspen Planers. The site of the VoV Camp is just below a heritage site that has huge cultural significance to Xwisten people. Junction Creek summer village has been a traditional meeting place where people come to hunt, gather and process food. The Xwisten people continue to access and use Junction Creek for these traditional purposes today.

Cayoose Creek band refuses to cede salmon-spawning territory

Sekw’el’was Chief Michelle Edwards says the community won’t leave the creek until their demand for meaningful consultation is met

Erin Flegg, Vancouver Observer, April 16th, 2014

A Cayoose Creek First Nation’s ongoing peaceful protest to protect a salmon-spawning creek near Lillooet has resulted in some disturbing threats against the community.

On three separate instances, members say they found live shells embedded in the wood used to fuel their ceremonial fire—one of them resulted in Sekw’el’was Chief Michelle Edwards being struck in the leg by a bullet. No one knows who put the shells there. 

Masked and helmeted security guards at Lillooet construction site

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via West Coast Native News, March 11, 2014

The St’at’imc in Lillooet, BC, have been blockading and protesting infrastructure work in the Cayoosh Creek since January of this year.  On March 10, the contractor deployed up to 8 security personnel from Griffin Security, clad in black uniforms, face masks, and what appear to be ballistic helmets. 

Lillooet First Nation blocks work it says could threaten salmon runs on Seton River

 

Nolan Alec catches a salmon on the Fraser River, near Lillooet.

Canadian Press, January 17, 2014

LILLOOET – Members of a First Nation in Lillooet have set up a blockade near the Fraser River district to protest work they believe is destroying fish habitat on disputed land.

St’at’imc threaten action over infrastructure trespasses in southern ‘BC’

By Keven Drews, Canadian Press/Vancouver Sun, May 10, 2013

VANCOUVER – Southwestern British Columbia’s St’at’imc Chiefs Council is threatening to block a highway and rail line and “embarrass” private companies and the next provincial government over trespasses on its traditional territory.