(CBC News) – A driver has been shot by police following a chase in North Vancouver.
The RCMP said officers were pursuing a driver who had struck several other vehicles in the Deep Cove neighbourhood at about 2:30 p.m. PT.
When the driver got out of his vehicle, witnesses told CBC News, officers yelled at him to take his hands out of his pockets and put them in the air.
Instead, they said, the man charged at police. One of the officers fired a single shot, hitting the man, whose identity has not been released. There was no word on the condition of the driver. The Mountie was not injured.
Tyler Pearson, the owner of the nearby Deep Cove Music, said emergency vehicles quickly flooded the area.
“Lots of vehicles on site — police car, fire engines, the ambulance finally came. When I was down there the police officers were just speaking to the fellow, saying ‘You gotta fight it, you gotta fight it, you gotta keep breathing, stay with us, stay with us.’ … I don’t know how it turned out.”
In a news release, RCMP spokesman Sgt. Peter Thiessen said the Mounties’ North Vancouver Serious Crimes Unit is conducting the investigation.
Vancouver Police head RCMP shooting investigation
Updated: Sun Jan. 10 2010 14:37:25
ctvbc.ca
The Vancouver Police Department has been commissioned to head an investigation into an RCMP-involved shooting that occurred on Saturday afternoon in North Vancouver.
Const. Lindsey Houghton confirmed on Sunday that a North Vancouver RCMP officer had shot a 39-year-old suspect in the torso at around 2:30 p.m.
Witnesses at the scene told CTV News that the man who was shot was involved in a car chase with North Vancouver RCMP, which ended at the intersection of Deep Cove Drive and Stratchona Road.
After being shot, witnesses said the man lied on the ground and yelled at police, “You should have killed me.”
Houghton said the investigation was already underway.
“We have detectives from our major crimes section assigned, and officers are there assisting those detectives in compiling evidence.”
The officer involved has been with the RCMP for four years, Houghton said, and was not carrying a Taser at the time.
The victim, whose identify has not been released, is known to police.
His injuries are not considered life-threatening, and he is currently recovering in hospital.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact the Vancovuer Police Major Crime Section at 604-717-2500.