Police officer dies after shooting in Abbotsford

ABBOTSFORD — A British Columbia police officer is being remembered as a “hero” after he died Monday in an exchange of gunfire with a man accused of shooting at people in a parking lot.

Chief Bob Rich of the Abbotsford Police Department said officers were called about a possible stolen vehicle in the parking lot of a shopping complex at about 11:30 a.m.

The caller blocked the suspect’s vehicle while waiting for police to arrive, Rich said.

“Unfortunately, a male suspect emerged from that vehicle and began shooting at the caller and others with a shotgun,” Rich said at a news conference.

There were several 911 calls reporting the shooting, and police officers arrived in the area and attempted to engage with and arrest the suspect.

“There was an exchange of gunfire,” Rich said, and one officer was taken to hospital with “very serious injuries.”

“The horrible part of this story, our injured APD officer was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly after he arrived.”

The suspect, a man in his 60s from Alberta, fled in the vehicle and police officers pursued him to the intersection of Mt. Lehman Road and Fraser Highway, Rich said. The man was apprehended and taken to hospital for treatment of non-lifethreatening injuries.

The deceased officer’s name has not been released.

Rich said the investigation will continue and there are still many questions left to be answered. He said the police department’s priority will be supporting the officer’s family and each other.