Driver shot by Kelowna RCMP during traffic stop

The driver of a Mercedes sedan was shot during a Kelowna RCMP traffic stop last week and B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating.

Officers pulled over a black Mercedes with a driver and a passenger at approximately 10:33 p.m., Feb. 26, on Snowsell Street North near the intersection with Glenmore Road, according to media releases from both RCMP and the Independent Investigations Office of BC issued, March 2.

There was a fight between the driver and the officers during which a Taser-like weapon was fired at the driver. 

The Mercedes took off dragging one of officers. Shots were fired at the fleeing vehicle hitting the sedan, which got away. The officer suffered minor injuries.

The next morning RCMP located the suspect vehicle and later that afternoon located the driver, who was suffering from gunshot wounds, at a separate residence.

The suspect was taken to hospital and his injuries aren’t considered life-threatening.

RCMP don’t say what if any charges the driver faces or why the Mercedes was pulled over in the first place. RCMP said no further information will be released due to the IIO investigation.

While RCMP investigate the actions of the driver, IIO investigators are looking into the officer-involved shooting.

The police watchdog will determine if there’s a connection between the shooting, and officer action or inaction.

“At the conclusion of the investigation, the chief civilian director will consider whether there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence may have occurred,” the IIO media release reads.

The IIO asks that any witnesses who have information regarding this matter to contact the Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

The IIO is the independent civilian oversight agency of officers and detention guards in British Columbia. It investigates all incidents involving officers or detention guards that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.