Alleged shooting by police probed

The civilian agency that investigates shootings by police in B.C. was called to Kelowna Thursday after a Mountie allegedly shot a male person at a homeless camp.

RCMP Cpl. Janelle Shoihet said in a news release that about 12:30 p.m., a Kelowna RCMP officer was sent to the Okanagan Indian band’s Duck Lake reserve, on the north shore of Ellison Lake. The officer was sent to help a Kelowna city bylaw officer who had responded to a complaint about a homeless camp on the reserve.

Shoihet, media relations officer with the RCMP E Division, said the officers “engaged a male camper, who is alleged to have produced a knife and approached the officers.”

“Efforts were made to de-escalate the situation. Ultimately, the Kelowna RCMP officer was unable to resolve the situation and is alleged to have discharged their firearm, striking the male.”

The male was taken to a local hospital for treatment of “serious injuries.” No one else was injured, Shoihet said. The Independent Investigation Office of BC, which investigates police-related incidents in which someone is killed or seriously injured to determine if an officer committed a crime, was notified and was heading to the scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed Thursday’s incident is asked to call the Independent Investigation Office of BC at 1-855-446-8477.