IIO arrives to investigate suspect’s injury

UPDATE — The suspect arrested in connection with Wednesday’s shooting of an RCMP officer was shot in the arm, probably during the initial incident, says an independent investigations unit.

Kellie Kilpatrick of the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. said in a media update Thursday the IIO is working to establish whether it will keep jurisdiction in the case.

“The IIO can confirm the affected person sustained a gunshot injury to his arm that is believed to have occurred at the initial incident early yesterday morning,” Kilpatrick said.

“That supports the presence of a nexus. IIO investigators will be working with all available and accessible information to clarify the extent of the injury to the affected person.”

The suspect was identified Wednesday as a 36-year-old man.

The investigation is being described as “concurrent,” meaning that the RCMP continues to investigate the shooting of Cpl. Jean Michaud while the IIO investigates the injury to the suspect.

“In particular, any physical processing of evidence will be carried out by the RCMP in concert with the IIO Forensic Investigator who is there in Kamloops.”

The release said that in order to sustain jurisdiction the IIO must satisfy two tests — “that the injury sustained by the affected person meets the definition of serious harm and if there was a nexus or relationship between an officer’s actions and the injury.”

NEWS/ POLICE — The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. confirms it has deployed staff to investigate the circumstances around the injury of a suspect in the shooting of RCMP Cpl Jean Michaud in Kamloops.

Michaud was injured after he stopped a vehicle about 2:45 a.m. Wednesday. A 36-year-old man was taken into custody at Batchelor Heights at 3:30 p.m. after an all-day manhunt by police.

The IIO office in Surrey said it was notified about 5:30 p.m. that the suspect may have suffered an injury that appears to have occurred in the initial incident early that morning.

IIO investigators arrived in Kamloops Wednesday night.

The RCMP remains responsible for the investigation into the actions of the suspect. “The RCMP and the IIO will work as per the MOU signed by the Chief Civilian Director and B.C. Police agencies,” said Ralph Krenz of the IIO.