A tragic event in Surrey, British Columbia has left the local community in disbelief, after a 15-year-old autistic boy was shot and killed by police officers.
Chase de Balinhard, a teenager with the mental capacity of a 10-year-old, was fatally shot on February 9, 2025, after being confronted by Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers.
The Events Leading to the Fatal Shooting
Chase had gone for a walk around his neighborhood while his parents were out enjoying the Super Bowl.
By around 2:40 PM, the RCMP received a call about a person allegedly carrying a weapon near a school.
Shortly after, a neighbor’s surveillance camera captured the distressing moments that followed.
The footage shows Chase limping past a patrol vehicle with what his parents later identified as a pellet gun pointed to his head.
According to his father, Rick de Balinhard, Chase wasn’t acting aggressively.
“He was walking away very slowly, not running or showing any aggression towards the officers,” Rick said.
The officers on the scene attempted to negotiate with Chase, asking him to drop the weapon, but things quickly escalated.
At one point, Chase raised his arm and pointed the object toward the officers.
He then ducked behind a bush, prompting officers to take cover behind their patrol vehicle.
Moments later, two shots were fired as police rushed toward him.
Chase’s parents, however, insist their son was neither suicidal nor violent and believe he was simply scared and confused by the situation.
Understanding Chase’s Challenges and Struggles
Chase, who suffered from autism, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and several physical conditions, faced significant challenges that contributed to his behavior.
He had trouble processing multiple commands at once, and his teachers recall that loud noises or aggressive actions triggered his anxiety.
Chase’s teacher, Christine Horton, who gave a eulogy at his funeral, described him as a kind and passionate young boy who wanted nothing more than to fit in.
She explained that he often had difficulty handling multiple demands and needed others to speak slowly and repeat instructions.
“Chase had trouble processing more than one or two commands at a time,” Horton said. “He was triggered by yelling demands and actions that appeared aggressive.”
Despite these challenges, Chase was known for his generosity and had big dreams of one day opening his own toy or antique store.
He had a strong desire to help others, and as a child, he would raise funds for the BC Children’s Hospital, hoping to make a difference in the world.
The Tragic Discovery and Emotional Aftermath
On the day of the shooting, Chase’s parents had left him at home to rest after a recent surgery, planning to watch the Super Bowl.
Crystal, Chase’s mother, received a text from a friend during the game about a shooting near the school. Worried, she tried calling her son, but there was no answer.
Her intuition led her to use the “Find My iPhone” feature, which indicated that his phone was in the area of the shooting.
When Crystal arrived at the scene, the street was blocked off, and she was instructed to wait in her car.
It wasn’t long before an officer informed her that her son had been shot and killed.
The news of her son’s death was a devastating blow, leaving the de Balinhards searching for answers.
Crystal, in particular, questioned why officers felt the need to shoot to kill, especially since they were reportedly close enough to use non-lethal methods like a taser.
“Why didn’t they Taser him?” she asked, “I don’t understand.”
Questions Raised About Police Training and Handling of Neurodiverse Individuals
The de Balinhard family is now calling for an investigation into how the RCMP trains officers to interact with individuals on the autism spectrum.
Chase’s tragic death has sparked a wider discussion about the need for better police training when dealing with neurodiverse individuals.
Local politicians have also voiced their concerns, and Elenore Sturko, the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Surrey-Cloverdale, recently met with Public Safety Minister Gary Begg.
She revealed that a review of law enforcement training, specifically for handling neurodiverse individuals, has been ongoing since 2023.
“We don’t want to jump to conclusions,” Sturko said, “but there’s a strong desire to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.”
As the investigation continues, the de Balinhard family hopes that their son’s death will lead to greater awareness and better practices for police interactions with individuals who have autism or other developmental disorders.
They are asking for justice and answers that may prevent such a heartbreaking situation from occurring again in the future.