British Columbia’s civilian-run police oversight agency, the Office of Independent Investigation (IIO), is investigating a Saturday night shooting in east Vancouver that left a suspect seriously injured after a altercated with the police.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said in a statement that a witness called 911 at 8:45 p.m. to report that someone broke into a building near Gore Avenue and Railroad Street.
An agent who answered the call tried to stop a vehicle coming out of the area. The statement says the driver allegedly did not stop and drove to the area of Commercial Drive and East 2nd Avenue, where shots were fired.
Police say no officers were injured, but a 52-year-old man who was armed with a gun was seriously injured during the interaction. The man has been taken to hospital where he remains detained and on guard.
The VPD says it notified the IIO shortly afterwards because the suspect’s injuries were serious.
In its own statement, the IIO said the driver of the vehicle suffered “serious fire-related injuries”.
He says his investigation “will determine who fired during the incident but it is reported that the man had a gun.”
The IIO investigates all incidents related to officers that result in grievous bodily harm or death, whether or not there is a charge of a felony.
Anyone who has witnessed the Saturday night events is asked to call 1-855-446-8477 or fill out the contact form on the IIO website.