Global Courant
BC’s Independent Investigations Office (IIO) is investigating the death of a man who was shot Wednesday by an RCMP officer at Fraser Canyon Hospital in Hope, BC – about 152 miles east of Vancouver.
Mounties say an “interaction” between the man and officers took place at the hospital, which led one officer to fire his gun.
In a statement, the police say that the man received immediate medical attention, but was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say they were initially called at 11:44 a.m. to a report of a two-vehicle collision on Highway 5 near the Zopkios exit, where several people were found with non-life-threatening injuries and taken to hospital.
RCMP says an altercation reportedly occurred between two of the injured, leading BC Emergency Health Services personnel to ask police for help.
The emergency department at Fraser Canyon Hospital in Hope is temporarily closed as BC’s Independent Investigations Office investigates an incident that occurred this afternoon.
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Fraser Canyon Hospital’s emergency department is temporarily closed while the BC police watchdog investigates. The IIO is called upon to investigate any police interaction leading to death or serious injury.
Fraser Health said in a statement that ambulance services are still available in Hope and surrounding communities, and people who need help can call 911 or go to Chilliwack General Hospital, about 30 miles southwest of Hope.
“All patients, staff and medical personnel are physically safe and unharmed, but the emergency department remains closed until the investigation is complete,” the statement read.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a tweet on Wednesday that support services were available for staff and patients who witnessed the police incident.
A police incident occurred late this afternoon at Fraser Canyon Hospital https://t.co/KnCMWzqxt9
