Coquitlam, British Columbia, was rocked by shooting as one Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer lost their life and two others suffered serious injuries while executing a search warrant at a residence on Friday. The suspect involved in the incident was also shot and sustained severe injuries. This harrowing event has left the community in shock and mourning.
The fateful incident unfolded during the execution of a search warrant at a Coquitlam residence, where officers from the RCMP became embroiled in a violent altercation with a male suspect. The confrontation resulted in multiple officers sustaining injuries and the suspect being shot. Tragically, one of the injured officers succumbed to their wounds, leaving a community and the RCMP in mourning.
Official Statement from RCMP
In an official statement issued on Friday afternoon, B.C. RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Kris Clark confirmed the incident, stating, “The attending officers became engaged in an altercation with a man which resulted in multiple officers being injured and the man being shot.” Emergency Health Services promptly transported all those injured to the hospital, but the loss of one officer has left a profound impact on the law enforcement community and the city of Coquitlam.
Also Read: Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Net worth, age, wife, family, nationality, religion, and more
The incident sent shockwaves through Coquitlam, with Premier David Eby addressing the situation during a speech at the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention. He acknowledged that there had been a “critical incident” in Coquitlam involving the RCMP. Eby reassured the public, stating, “At this point, we’re not in a position to be able to release details, but I can reassure the people of Coquitlam that there is not a further threat to public safety.”
Earlier in the day, Coquitlam was faced with road closures due to the “ongoing incident.” Witnesses reported hearing shots fired during a standoff at a condo building. Heavily armed officers from the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team were deployed to the scene. Reports from witnesses painted a harrowing picture, with one police officer seen limping out of the building with blood on his leg, and another person stretchered out.
Premier Eby, when pressed by reporters to confirm rumors of an officer’s death, emphasized that officials were not yet ready to release any information. He stated that more work needed to be done before further details could be provided.
The area where the tragic incident occurred is Coquitlam’s civic center, with City Hall just a block away. The closure of Glen Drive between Pinetree Way and High Street disrupted the heart of the city. In response, the city announced via its official Twitter account that all programs and activities at the Glen Pine Pavilion would be canceled for the day due to the incident.
