Updated 3:50 p.m.
The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO BC) spokesperson, Marten Youssef, reports that as far as the IIO is concerned, only a police-issue firearm has been found at the scene.
He adds that it’s early in the investigation.
BC RCMP have also filled in more details regarding the shooting Sunday night at the Xcalibur Carwash.
They say that while all aspects and circumstances around this incident will be subject to the independent investigation and verification, they can say that on Monday, Jan. 30, about 20 minutes past midnight, Salmon Arm RCMP received a complaint of a theft in progress at a local car wash.
Police went to the car wash located in the 2300 block of 10th Avenue SW, the Xcalibur Carwash, and located the suspect, a lone male, in one of the wash bays.
“He attempted to escape in a vehicle and an altercation resulted in shots fired by police,” states the BC RCMP news release. “RCMP members provided medical assistance and the man was transported to hospital by paramedics. The man’s condition is unknown at this time.”
No RCMP officers were injured.
“As per protocols, the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) was notified and they will now investigate if any officer may have committed any offence in connection with the male’s injuries,” state BC RCMP.
“The scene and evidence have been secured. Any potential witnesses are asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.”
Updated 1:15 p.m.:
The Independent Investigation Office of B.C. has deployed investigators to what they’re calling an officer-involved shooting in Salmon Arm.
“At approximately 12:20 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2017, police were responding to a call of a theft in progress near the 2300 block of 10th Avenue in Salmon Arm. Officers arrived on the scene and located the subject of the complaint. According to police, the male attempted to escape and was subsequently shot. The male was transferred to hospital and his condition is unknown at this time.
“IIO investigators will be conducting standard tasks including obtaining physical evidence from the scene, interviewing any civilian witnesses and designating and interviewing officers.
“Any potential witnesses are asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477,” states Marten Youssef, acting director, public engagement & policy.
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ORIGINAL: 11 a.m.
RCMP have cordoned off the parking lot at Xcalibur Carwash following a break-in Sunday night.
Both the car wash and adjacent Kawasaki business that sells outdoor recreation vehicles are closed.
Owner Terry Robinson says a “very serious” break-in took place around midnight and involved injuries.
He said police asked him to say nothing more and he would neither confirm nor deny if there had been a death.
He said the carwash had been open at the time, is well-lighted and has “wicked surveillance.”
Robinson was on his way to confer with police on Monday morning.
The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) has been called in.
The office is mandated to conduct investigations into police-related incidents of death or serious harm in order to determine whether or not an officer may have committed an offence.
RCMP say they will issue a news release later.
