New Westminster police were thrust into the spotlight Friday afternoon after a police-involved shooting at Queensborough Landing.
Around noon, local police were called to the ‘Boro outlet mall for complaints of two “unwanted” men at one of the shops. When officers arrived, one of the suspects was taken into custody without issue, but there was an “interaction” with the other suspect and a chase ensued, and the suspect was shot, noted a statement from New West police.
It was the sound of a “pop” that first caught the attention of a truck driver parked in the far northeast corner of the parking lot near Walmart.
When the witness, who didn’t want his name used, turned to see where the sound came from, he saw a man running from the parking area directly in front of Walmart.
“I heard, ‘Stop, stop,’ and then he turned and fired at the cops,” the witness told the Record at the scene. “I looked right up at him, and I seen the first cop with his gun up in the air, and he pointed it at him and he fired and missed.”
The witness said the cop then chased the suspect around the back of the Walmart, passed his truck, and through a couple of trees over to a path that runs behind the parking lot. That’s when the witness alleges the officer shot the suspect.
There was a dozen or so orange pylons marking evidence, including what appeared to be a cellphone or electronic device, some books, shell casings and bullets. The pylons led from the front of the Walmart around to the back, to a gravel path near the river, near a pile of clothing and possible medical items.
The suspect was taken to hospital in critical condition with non-life-threatening injuries. He and the other suspect remain in custody, and police have confirmed a firearm was recovered at the scene.
“These are extremely high stress situations, but we have a number of support networks for the officers involved, as well as for witnesses,” Acting Sgt. Jeff Scott said in a media release. “There is no risk to the public, as both the suspects are in custody.”
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO), will conduct its own investigation into the police-involved shooting to determine whether or not an offence was committed. Investigators with the police watchdog, which investigates cases of “officer-related incidents of death or serious harm,” were at the scene on Friday afternoon speaking with witnesses and employees at the shops nearby.
The IIO is asking for any witnesses to contact its info line at 1-855-446-8477.
