Van, sidearm stolen from Man. RCMP officer after struggle during escort

An agency that investigates serious police actions in Manitoba says an RCMP officer was escorting a man to Winnipeg when he wrestled the Mountie’s gun away from him and took off in an unmarked police van.

Several hours later, the 18year-old was shot and killed by officers near the Lake Manitoba First Nation.

Zane Tessler of Manitoba’s Independent Investigation Unit says Mounties have told the unit that an officer was taking the man to Winnipeg from Ashern in the van Tuesday night.

Tessler says the two got into a fight during which the man assaulted the officer, who shot his gun. The man grabbed the officer’s gun and took off in the van, leaving the officer behind.

“The officer suffered injuries and was taken to hospital in Selkirk,” Tessler said Wednesday. He added he didn’t know the extent of the Mountie’s injuries or his condition.

Tessler said it’s not known if the man was shot, but the officer was not hit by his own gunshot. Tessler also said it’s not known if the van was stopped or was driving when the fight occurred.

He said a few hours later, Mounties spotted the man near Lake Manitoba First Nation, a chase ensued and the stolen police van ended up in a ditch.

Police attempted to arrest the man and that’s when he was shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene.