Pathologist: man likely died instantly after police shooting

A young man likely died instantly after being shot in the head by an RCMP officer at a B.C. police detachment, a pathologist told a coroner's inquest in Houston, B.C.

Dr. John Stefanelli, who conducted an autopsy on the body of Ian Bush, 22,testified Thursday that the post-mortem showed a gun had been partially pressed to the back of Bush's head.

Stefanelli also said there were three circular lacerations near the entrance wound, evidence consistent with testimony by Constable Paul Koester thathe hit Bush with the nine-millimetre pistol before firing a shot.

The young millworker had been arrested earlier in the evening of October 29, 2005, for having an open beer outside an arena in the northern B.C. community.

Koester testified Wednesday thatBush was arrested after he gave police a false name and was taken to the detachment.

Bush attacked him inside the interview room, Koester said. The officer, who had only been in Houston for five months before the incident, saidthat Bush hit him repeatedly, and pinned him to the floor in a chokehold.

He said hefelt that he was in a fight for his life, and that during the struggle, Bushsaid to him,"Take your last breath."

'Can you help me?'

A police recording of a call made by Koester shortly after the shooting was also played at the inquest Wednesday.

"Oh no, no, please, oh help me. No, no. Send an ambulance. Can you help me?" Koester saidduring the call."Oh God, this isn't happening."

Koester fought back tears in the courtroom Wednesdayas he listened to his voice on the tape.

Bush's body remained in the RCMP detachment for two days after the shooting and Stefanelli conducted the autopsy the day after that.

In the past, B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal has publicly defended the decision not to charge the officer in connection with the incident.

"He feared at that time for his life," Oppal has said.

A coroner's inquest conducts a fact-finding investigation and does not assign fault or blame.