UPDATE: Arrest made after Kamloops Mountie shot

SHOT MOUNTIE RECOVERING AFTER SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

KAMLOOPS – Kamloops RCMP have made an arrest outside a residence in Batchelor Heights in connection with the shooting of an officer early this morning.

The emergency response team took a 36-year-old man into custody at approximately 3:30 p.m. The arrest took place nearly 12 hours after Cpl. Jean-Rene Michaud was shot at 2:45 Wednesday morning when he approached a white Chrysler Intrepid at a traffic stop in Batchelor Heights Wednesday morning. 

Supt. Brad Mueller said the suspect was arrested without incident, but later added the investigation has been turned over to the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. as the suspect sustained an injury. The name of the suspect, who is known to police, has not been released as charges have not been laid.

"At this point in time we're confident that we've made the necessary arrest in this incident," Mueller said. He added as part of the investigation Mounties interviewed a number of people.

Local RCMP along with Southeast District Major Crimes spent much of the day searching for suspects. For a period of time, access to the Batchelor Heights neighbourhood was restricted. At an afternoon press conference, Mueller said a police presence will continue on Raven Drive and the southend of Grasslands Boulevard as the area is still being searched for evidence.

A 3:30 p.m. news release said media reports of arrests were "inaccurate," though several people had been witnessed being taken away in police cars. Thirty minutes later, police said they had a man in custody. Spokesperson RCMP Cpl. Cheryl Bush said police have "completed some evacuations of the affected area for public safety reasons." An evacuation centre has been set up at Interior Savings Centre. Schools in the area were also on lockdown. 

At a late morning press conference, Supt. Brad Mueller said the 40-year-old Michaud was in “critical but stable condition” after a successful surgery.

Mueller said at the time of the shooting near Batchelor Drive and North River Drive, Michaud, who has 13 years experience on the force, was wearing a full operational uniform including a bullet-proof vest and was driving a marked RCMP vehicle. A backup officer was called and once on scene returned fire, according to Mueller. The backup officer then attended the downed member and called the detachment for help.

“At the hospital (Royal Inland Hospital) earlier this morning I visited with his wife and family and our thoughts and prayers are with our colleague, his wife, his two young children and the rest of his family,” Mueller said.

Police were able to retrieve specific details about the incident from the injured officer, but at the time suspects remained at large while police continued an active investigation Mueller called “dynamic.”

“We’ve identified possible suspects and we’re exploring those avenues,” Mueller said. “We will see it through until we make that apprehension if that occurs today, if not we will continue until those arrests are made.”

The vehicle police were in search for is a white 1998 four-door Chrysler Intrepid with B.C. Licence plate AF765A. Mueller would not comment if the suspects or the vehicle was from Kamloops.

The emergency response team, RCMP helicopter, police dogs and serious crime units were deployed in search of suspects.

"I want to thank each of them for bringing this matter to a successful and safe conclusion," Mueller said.

Mueller said the registered owner of the vehicle was approached but would not comment further on who the individual was or if he or she was involved in the incident.

“That was the primary scene of the incident but our investigation will focus throughout the city where the evidence and intelligence takes us,” Mueller said. “We’ll be conducting our investigation throughout the various avenues of the city.”

Mueller said while officers remained vigilant, the public was advised of potential traffic stops or road blocks that could occur. As suspects were considered armed and dangerous, the public was advised not take any steps to approach the vehicle or any persons associated with it. 

Mueller said while members are solemn at the detachment, he has commended them on their professionalism while the situation continued to develop.

“They did what they had to do. People who don’t wear the uniform and don’t put their lives in danger every day don’t have a true understanding of what you go through in those types of situations," he said.

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To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca or call 250-319-7494. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724

— This story has been updated numerous times throughout the day as information became available.

—This story was updated at 4:05 p.m. with information about the arrest.