Manslaughter charge for death of off-duty Abbotsford police officer in Nelson

Photo: Abby PD

Abbotsford Police Const. Allan Young is shown in an undated handout photo.

A Castlegar man has been charged with manslaughter in connection to the death of an off-duty Abbotsford police officer in Nelson, B.C. in July 2020.

The Nelson Police Department announced Sunday that a charge of manslaughter has been approved against 26-year-old Alex Willness.

Police say Const. Allan Young, 55, approached a man causing a disturbance in downtown Nelson at around 11:45 p.m. on July 16. An altercation occurred and Young died several days later.

In the days after the incident, police said the two men did not know each other and it was likely the attacker would face a charge of aggravated assault.

Abbotsford Police Chief Const. Mike Serr said in a statement after the incident that Young always treated everyone with kindness and respect.

"He always had time for a laugh and a joke," Serr says. "Allan was never too busy for his friends and family and there was nothing he wouldn't do to help."

Willness remains in custody pending his next court appearance March 9.