Standoff in Slocan after man shoots at police

Mounties evacuated homes in Slocan on Thursday as they searched for a man armed with multiple firearms who shot at police earlier that day.

RCMP say the incident began with a dispute between two people in the southeastern B. C. community just after noon on Thursday.

When police responded to a call about the fight, the man fired at them with a rifle, said RCMP Const. Kris Clark in a news release.

Officers held down “an area of containment” west of the village of Slocan where police believe the suspect is located, said Clark, who did not provide further details “due to the sensitive nature of our police operations.”

Additional police resources, including a helicopter and the Southeastern District Emergency Response Team have been deployed to the area.

“As this is an unfolding event with an alleged armed suspect, we are asking that the movements and locations of responding officers not be divulged through social media,” Clark said. “To do so may jeopardize police and public safety.”

No members of the public or RCMP officers were injured, Clark said.

Immediately after the shooting, officers began warning area residents of the potential danger.

Jeff Jones, superintendent of School District 8, said all students and staff were evacuated from the school in Slocan City.

“The RCMP provided escort,” said Jones. “Parents are picking their children up at a safe spot south of the village.”

He said all students that had been on buses were with family or caregivers.

Village fire chief John Gates said police stopped him at about 2: 30 p. m. while he was on his way to pick up his car from a mechanic.

“A constable came out and stopped us and told us to turn around and go back home,” he said.

Ben Mittelsteadt, a spokesman for the B. C. Ambulance Service in Victoria, said crews were put on standby for what appeared to be a standoff involving RCMP.