Member of Newfoundland and Labrador broadcasting family killed by California police

CITYnews halifax / By The Canadian Press

1. JOHN’S — A member of the family behind the first television station in Newfoundland and Labrador was killed in an altercation with police in California last week.

Geoffrey Stirling, 45, is being mourned by employees of the Newfoundland Broadcasting Company and its founding family, Lindsey Andrews, company general manager, said Monday.

He was the son of Scott Stirling, president and chief executive of the broadcasting company that owns and operates NTV in St. John’s, N.L.

“Geoffrey worked with many of our team over the years, myself included,” Andrews said in an emailed statement. “He was a very positive individual, always willing to learn new things and wanting to contribute to the success of the company.”

A resident of Laguna Niguel, Calif., Stirling was riding his motorcycle when he was stopped by an officer with the Newport Beach Police Department on Thursday for a traffic violation, said a news release from the force dated Friday.

Police said Stirling “became unco-operative” and a “violent altercation” ensued. Stirling grabbed the officer’s Taser and tried to use it before being shot by police, the news release said.

He was pronounced dead at a local hospital, and the state’s Department of Justice is investigating.

“My family and I are devastated by the loss of my brother,” said Lydia McLaughlin, Stirling’s sister, in the statement. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from friends, family, and the community. We kindly ask for privacy as we mourn.”

NTV is an independent television station and began broadcasting in 1955 as CJON. It was founded by Geoff Stirling, the late father of Scott Stirling, and was the first television station in the province, according to Memorial University’s Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage website.

The Newfoundland Broadcasting Company also owns and operates the radio station OZFM.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 21, 2025.

The Canadian Press