Shooting linked to Penticton carjacking

A man who was shot and killed by police Tuesday at a ferry terminal in Nanaimo was wanted in connect with a carjacking Monday night in Penticton, according to Mounties.

“I can confirm that the carjacking incident took place Monday night in Penticton and the driver in that incident sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries,” B.C. RCMP spokeswoman Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said in an email Wednesday.

“That incident remains under active investigation, but we are not in a position to release additional details at this time. We are also mindful that this original incident is connected to the Nanaimo matter.”

RCMP said Tuesday officers were called to the Departure Bay terminal to arrest a male in connection with the “violent” carjacking.

Initial information based on police accounts indicates the suspect got out of the vehicle with what was believed to be a gun and shots were fired, the Mounties said in a release.

RCMP declined further comment because B.C.’s police watchdog has taken over the investigation, which happens whenever police actions result in serious harm or death.

Former Saanich mayor Frank Leonard said he heard a loud bang and then a series of gunshots when he was sitting in his vehicle waiting for ferry traffic to unload from the B.C. mainland.

“I thought six to eight (shots) — witnesses always get that wrong,” he said in an interview. “Then it was all quiet — really, really quiet.”