Police watchdog investigating fatal RCMP shooting in Shuswap

A man was shot and killed by police after being flushed from a house in Tappen yesterday. As a result, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has been called in to investigate.

The incident started about 6:40 p.m. yesterday Jan. 7, when Salmon Arm RCMP received a call saying somebody had severely damaged the caller’s property in Tappen, according to an RCMP media release. Tappen is about 14 kilometres northwest of Salmon Arm.

Police found the suspect at a neighbouring home and tried to arrest him but backed off due to the risk, and called in an emergency response team.

“A warrant to enter the home was granted, and officers deployed a chemical agent in an attempt to make the man leave the residence,” the release states. “The man did leave and attempted to flee the area. In the resulting interaction between a police officer and the man, he was shot. The male died and no one else was injured during the incident.”

Since the shooting is under investigation no further details are being released, RCMP said.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. investigates all officer-related incidents that result in death or serious harm, whether or not there is an allegation of wrongdoing.

Any witnesses to the shooting are asked to call the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477.

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