In a chilling incident Friday morning in British Columbia, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer was struck and injured by a vehicle, and the suspected driver was shot by another officer.
The incident occurred at the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP Detachment.
Reports said an RCMP member was conducting a vehicle check in the parking lot when a male suspect drove into the employee parking lot and struck the police vehicle, injuring the officer.
Another police officer in the area fired at the car and hit the driver.
Chris Bear, the officer in charge of the detachment, said in a statement that the RCMP officer and the suspect were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
He described the incident as very disturbing to members and staff, but assured that additional supports and resources have been brought to the detachment and that basic policing operations for the community will not be affected.
He added that it was unclear what the man’s intentions were, and the inquest will seek to determine that.
The incident is now being investigated as an assault case and the North Cowichan/Duncan General Investigation Section is handling the investigation. Additionally, a statement from the BC RCMP says the IIO BC is also reviewing police actions during the incident.
Police will not release any further information as the matter is being investigated by the IIO BC.