A Vancouver police officer shared at a public hearing regarding the fatal arrest of Myles Gray that the individual was the most physically formidable person he had encountered during his 15 years on the job. Const. Beau Spencer provided details during the hearing held in Vancouver about the events of August 13, 2015, which commenced with a distressing call for backup from a colleague who encountered Gray on a residential street in Burnaby, near the Vancouver border.
Spencer recounted recognizing the urgency in Const. Hardeep Sahota’s voice during the radio call, which immediately raised red flags for him. As he and his partner made their way to the scene, Spencer described hearing an alarming “animalistic roar” over the police radio unlike anything he had experienced before.
The officer is one of seven Vancouver officers under scrutiny in a public hearing initiated by B.C.’s Police Complaint Commissioner to investigate potential misconduct during the confrontation that led to Gray’s demise. All seven officers have refuted any allegations of wrongdoing.
Spencer, described by his lawyer as over six feet tall and weighing more than 90 kilograms, shared his experience of arriving at the scene to find fellow officers visibly fatigued as they struggled to subdue Gray. He expressed that, for the first time in his career, he felt physically incapable of restraining someone as he and another officer, Const. Joshua Wong, attempted unsuccessfully to handcuff Gray and ensure he was not concealing a weapon.
Recounting the challenging encounter, Spencer stated that Gray, despite his and Wong’s size and strength, proved to be the most formidable individual he had ever encountered in his policing tenure. He detailed the struggle to restrain Gray and the intense efforts to bring the situation under control.
The commissioner’s notice of the public hearing highlighted discrepancies and inconsistencies in statements made by Vancouver Police Department members, underscoring the complexity of the case. A previous coroner’s inquest revealed the severe injuries Gray sustained, including a fractured eye socket, crushed voice box, and ruptured testicles. Despite the inquest ruling the death a homicide, no charges have been laid in connection with Gray’s demise.
Spencer described the intense moments of the encounter when Gray exhibited sudden changes in behavior, briefly showing lucidity before descending back into a state of agitation. The officer shared the challenges faced during the confrontation, including Gray’s unexpected bursts of strength and aggression.
Ultimately, Gray succumbed at the scene, with paramedics and firefighters attending to the situation. The public hearing overseen by the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner has encountered delays but continues to examine the circumstances surrounding Gray’s death. Previous testimonies from officers, including Const. Eric Birzneck, have highlighted the exceptional strength displayed by Gray during the altercation.