The Independent Investigations Office, B.C.'s civilian police watchdog, is appealing for witnesses to a police-involved shooting death in Qualicum Beach to come forward.
According to RCMP officers with the Oceanside detachment were called to help paramedics with a man who had stabbed himself inside his vehicle in the 39000-block of the Inland Island Highway, near Van Isle Road, early on October 12th.
As police were responding 911 callers reported the man was running down the highway and someone was trying to restrain him. RCMP say when they arrived a struggle ensued, and the man was shot. Two officers also suffered non-life threatening injuries and were treated in hospital.
I-I-O spokesperson Shannon Brennan says investigators need witnesses they have not interviewed to come forward:
"We deployed investigators to the scene. Since then we have been interviewing witnesses, collecting physical evidence, interviewing officers and reviewing medical reports. And the IIO is asking anyone who saw, heard or recorded the incident to contact our witness line at 1-855-446-8477."
Paramedics on scene provided medical attention, but could not save the 35 year old man. The extent of injuries to police officers has not been released.