A 25-year-old man accused of killing a Mountie in Coquitlam appeared by video before a Port Coquitlam Provincial Court judge this morning, Nov. 7.
Judge Kasandra Cronin adjourned the case against Nicholas Bellemare to Jan. 16, 2024, at the request of defence counsel Tony Paisana.
Bellemare, who was wearing a red uniform while in a remand facility, stands charged with the first-degree murder of Ridge Meadows RCMP Const. Frederick "Rick" O'Brien on Sept. 22, 2023.
Bellemare is also charged with the attempted murder with a firearm of Cpl. Colin Ryder.
A media ban is in place preventing the publication of evidence and information given to the court during the hearing.
O'Brien, Ryder and another Ridge Meadows officer, who was also injured in the line of duty, were executing a search warrant in relation to a Maple Ridge drug investigation when the fatal shooting happened at around 10 a.m. in a condo in the Evergreen building (3007 Glen Dr.) in Coquitlam.
Bellemare was also shot; as a result, the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIOBC) is running a concurrent probe.
Last month, a funeral for O'Brien at the Langley Events Centre drew hundreds of first responders from across North America.
Help for the family
Meanwhile, a page to raise money for O'Brien's wife and six children has brought in nearly $176,000.
The crowd fundraiser was started by the National Police Federation Benevolent Foundation in partnership with the National Police Federation.
