Suspect arrested in shooting of Mountie

NEWS/ POLICE — A 36-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting this morning (Wednesday) of RCMP Cpl. Jean Rene Michaud during a traffic stop in Batchelor Heights.

Michaud was shot as he approached a car at the corner of Batchelor Drive and North River Drive. An officer in a backup unit returned fire on suspects who fled in a white Chrysler Intrepid.

Access to Batchelor Heights was blocked early this afternoon and residents who weren’t already at home were advised to wait at Parkside Lounge in the Interior Savings Centre. However, they were being allowed to travel into the area late this afternoon with the exception of some restrictions around Raven Drive and the south end of Grasslands Boulevard.

Some residents who were evacuated from the area weren’t being allowed back in yet.

Michaud, 40, underwent emergency surgery at Royal Inland Hospital and remains in critical but stable condition. He is a 13-year member of the RCMP and is married with two children.

“The family and friends of Cpl. Michaud, along with the RCMP, appreciate all of the well wishes that have been received for his speedy recovery,” said Cpl. Cheryl Bush.

Supt. Brad Mueller announced at a late-afternoon media conference a suspect was arrested about 3:30 p.m. in Batchelor Heights after an intense hunt that began after Michaud was shot at about 2:45 a.m. Media reports of arrests earlier in the day proved erroneous.

The arrested man is known to police. Although the arrest was made without incident, the suspect was injured at some point and the investigation has been taken over by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C.