BC’s police watchdog investigating officer-involved fatal shooting in Prince George

The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) has been notified of a fatal, police-involved shooting in Prince George.

BC’s police watchdog will investigate the response and actions of officers in this incident.

The Prince George RCMP was alerted to a distraught man who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis around 4:45 pm on Thursday. He was inside a vehicle south of the scales on Hwy 97.

A Critical Incident Commander was notified and Emergency Health Services staged nearby while officers contained and scene and stopped all highway traffic.

“An interaction occurred between the man and police outside of the vehicle which resulted in the officer firing his weapon,” noted an RCMP release. “The man was shot and police provided medical attention until EHS arrived.”

Unfortunately, the man succumbed to his injuries. No one else was injured during the incident.

Hwy 97 was closed in both directions as the scene was processed on Thursday night, but has since reopened to traffic.

Since the matter is being investigated by the IIO BC, no further information will be released at this time.