Brian Whitlock charged with killing his mother

Brian Whitlock, 28, has been charged with the second-degree murder of his mother, Barbara, whose body was found insideher home on Vancouver's west side Saturday.

• Brian Whitlock charged with murder of Vancouver woman following police standoff
• Mental illness led man to beat dog with bat, says lawyer

Whitlock was taken into custody Sunday morning following an eight-hour long police standoff after barricading himself inside the residence at 3171 West 23rd Ave.

In 2013, Whitlock admitted to beating his German shepherd dog with a baseball bat and leaving it to die in a Kitsilano dumpster.

During Whitlock's sentencing hearing,his lawyer told the court his client was suffering from mental illness. Whitlock was sentenced to 60 days in jail.

Police said they received a 911 call around 8:30 p.m. PT Saturday after a relative discovered Barbara Whitlock's body in her home.

Whitlock was arrested shortly before 5 a.m. PT Sunday after coming out of the house, but police had to fire a round from an Arwen gun, which fires a plastic projectile, because he was non-compliant.

Vancouver police said he was checked by paramedics and medically cleared.

Man lit small fires inside home

Vancouver police spokesman Const. Brian Montague said that during the standoff police cleared neighbouring homes after Whitlocklit a number of small fires inside the house.

He said there was some indication Whitlock was suffering from mental health issues.

Whitlock made a short appearance in Vancouver provincial court this morning, where he agreed not to have further contact or speak with witnesses Spencer and Jeffrey Whitlock.

He will remain in custody until his next court appearance Nov. 24.

See Google map of West 23rd Avenue and Balaclava Street