Shooting in Coquitlam, BC Claims Life of RCMP Officer and Leaves 2 Others Seriously Injured
An RCMP officer from the Ridge Meadows detachment in British Columbia’s lower mainland has been killed, and two others taken to hospital with serious injuries.
“While there, the attending officers became engaged in an altercation with a man which resulted in multiple officers being injured and the man being shot,” said the release.
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RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald said 51-year-old Const. Rick O’Brien, who was a seven-year member of the RCMP, died at the scene. One injured officer is in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, he said, while the other suffered minor injuries and was discharged.
A suspect in his 20s was also shot and is in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police say the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been deployed and will assume conduct of the investigation into the officer’s death and the injuries to the other officers.
The province’s Independent Investigations Office will conduct an inquiry into the conduct of the police. The civilian-led agency is responsible for probing incidents involving law enforcement that lead to death or severe injury.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent his condolences to O’Brien’s family, friends, and colleagues on social media. “And to the officers who were injured: I’m wishing you a fast and full recovery.”
Earlier in the day, the city of Pitt Meadows confirmed an officer had been killed and another injured.
During the morning of Sept. 22, RCMP announced the closing of Glen Drive in Coquitlam, the result of “an ongoing police incident.”
The city of Coquitlam also cancelled all activities at the Glen Pine pavilion for the day.
“My heart goes out to all those impacted by the incident in #Coquitlam this morning,” she said.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
