Two men, one of them from Surrey, have been charged in connection with a daytime police-involved shooting that took place in a store parking lot in New Westminster Jan. 15.
New Westminster police were initially called for a report of a man causing a disturbance around noon near a Walmart in the Queensborough area.
The man was taken into custody, but then a second incident unfolded involving a different man, and a police officer fired a gun. The second man was taken to hospital, but later released.
Surrey resident Nathan McVannell, 32, has since been charged with aggravated assault, use of a firearm while attempting to commit an indictable offence, theft, resisting arrest, possession of a prohibited firearm and breaching firearms prohibition.
“Our Major Crime Unit continues to investigate the events from last week, and is asking for any witnesses to please call us,” said Acting Sgt. Jeff Scott of the NWPD. “These are very complex investigations that require a lot of expertise, and information from witnesses is extremely valuable.”
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO), which probes police involved shootings or deaths, is also investigating.
Langley’s Henry Bennett Smith, 31, (the first man who was arrested) was charged with breach of probation.
Anyone with information is asked to call the NWPD Major Crime Unit at 604-525-5411.
