IIO investigating shooting incident near Merritt RCMP Detachment

B.C.’s police watchdog has been alerted to a shooting incident Saturday (Dec. 5) near the Merritt RCMP Detachment.

In a release from BC RCMP Communications, police say Saturday afternoon around 4:43 pm, a man pulled up into a parking lot near the Merritt Detachment, got out of his vehicle, and fired shots. Officers heard the gunshots and came out of the detachment, saw the man and took cover.

Shortly after, the man was found deceased. No one else was injured in this incident.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C (IIO) has been notified, and is now investigating whether police actions or inactions are linked to the man’s death. The area has been cordoned off for the investigation and public access to the detachment will be limited for the time being.

Given that the incident is being investigating by the IIO, no further information will be released by police.