IIO is Investigating a Police-Involved Shooting in Merritt (2024-217)
Case: 2024-217 Incident Date: September 12, 2024 Detachment: BC Highway Patrol Location: Merritt Agency: RCMP Incident Classification: Serious Harm Case Status: Open - Investigation in ProgressINFORMATION BULLETIN
Independent Investigations Office
For Immediate Release
Surrey, B.C. — The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC is investigating a police-involved shooting incident that occurred in Merritt.
Information provided by the RCMP states that on September 12, 2024, police were notified of a report of gunshots being fired in Merritt involving civilians.
Officers responded and attempted to locate the individual and vehicle.
Later that afternoon, witnesses notified the RCMP about a vehicle being driven erratically on a remote forest service road outside of Merritt.
Police – including members of the Emergency Response Team – later responded and located the vehicle. Shots were fired by multiple officers and the vehicle’s two occupants were taken to the hospital with injuries.
The IIO was notified of the incident shortly after it occurred and commenced an investigation. Initial investigative steps will seek to confirm the details of the incident and if any force used by police was necessary, reasonable, and proportionate in the circumstances.
The IIO is asking any person with video footage or relevant information about the incident to please contact the Witness Line toll-free at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.
Background
The IIO is the Independent civilian oversight agency of the police in British Columbia. It investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.