Mounties in Kelowna fire rubber bullets to arrest man

Police say suspect barricaded himself inside local shop after being caught damaging vehicle

A man was arrested following a police standoff near Reid’s Corner Thursday morning that ended with police firing rubber bullets.

Kelowna RCMP received a report of a distraught male at a business in the 300 block of Adams Road shortly before 9:30 a.m.

Police were told the suspect, who was seen covered in blood, became involved in an altercation with a civilian after the suspect was found damaging the inside of a vehicle.

The suspect allegedly became aggressive toward the civilian, who was forced to retreat, said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. The other person was uninjured. The suspect confronted police officers on the scene before retreating and barricading himself inside a unit in the commercial complex.

Mounties surrounded the building and called for the support of the RCMP South East District Emergency Response Team, police dog services and specially trained crisis negotiators.

At 11:30 a.m., members of the emergency response team shot rubber bullets at the commercial unit to open the door, said O’Donaghey.

When the male refused to respond or follow police directions, officers again shot rubber bullets to aid in the arrest, which was made with the help of police dogs.

The suspect remains in police custody and is facing potential charges.

He was assessed at the scene by paramedics.

Adams Road was closed temporarily between Edwards and Sexsmith roads during the incident.