Smithers, BC

UPDATE - Officer Involved Shooting

Members of the North District Major Crime Unit and the BC RCMP's Serious Crime Unit, with oversight by an Officer from the Saanich Police Department and an independent observer assigned by the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, are responsible for the investigation into the officer involved shooting that occurred on November 21, 2009 in Smithers, BC.

Throughout the investigation approximately 20 witnesses have been interviewed, evidence gathered from the RCMP Forensic Identification Section and the scene has been completely surveyed by an RCMP Collision Reconstructionist. From this information and information from other sources, investigators are now able to release more information.

Indications are that a number of shots were fired by the officer being dragged along with the vehicle. It is believed that more than one bullet struck the suspect driver. The driver is still in hospital and expected to recover. The investigation continues with the excellent cooperation from the public who witnessed this serious event.

Smithers RCMP have the responsibility to investigate the driver's actions during the incident.

The truck that was stopped by Smithers RCMP members has been confirmed stolen from Salmon Arm sometime during the evening of November 19th or early morning of November 20th.

The driver has been confirmed to be an American citizen. There are indications that he has been involved with American authorities in the past. Inquiries are being made with American police agencies to confirm this.

Charges of Possession of Stolen Property and Dangerous Driving under the Criminal Code of Canada are being recommended to Crown Counsel against the 24 year old man for this incident. The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be added.

A number of coincidental Criminal Code charges are being considered by RCMP in the southern interior of BC. These charges all appear to be property crime related.

Any further media inquiries must be directed to North District Media Liaison at the numbers below.

Released by

Cst. Craig Douglass
Media Relations Officer
North District General Investigation Section
Office: (250)561-3148
Cell: (250)613-5778
Email: north_district_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca