IIO Providing Update to May 2026 Incident in Kamloops (2026-099)
Case: 2026-099 Incident Date: May 4, 2026 Location: Kamloops Detachment: Kamloops 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 providing an update regarding the injuries sustained by a woman during her arrest in Kamloops on May 4, 2026 (IIO 2026-099).
An off-duty RCMP officer was in a store located in the 2100 block of Trans-Canada Hwy East when he observed a woman hitting items on store shelves with an edged weapon.
The off-duty officer attempted to intervene, but the woman left the store and entered a second business located on the property. The off-duty officer followed and continued efforts to engage with her.
On-duty RCMP officers arrived at the second store and an interaction occurred. During the incident, police deployed less-lethal force options and the woman sustained injuries.
The woman was transported to a local hospital but left against medical advice.
RCMP officers later located the woman and took her back into custody. Following medical assessment, it was determined the woman had sustained injuries that meet the threshold for notification to the IIO.
The IIO was notified the following day and launched an investigation, which remains ongoing.
To date, IIO investigators have canvassed the area, conducted interviews, and gathered and reviewed other evidence, including medical reports and video footage, some of which comes from police body-worn cameras.
The IIO expects to conduct further interviews as the investigation continues.
The IIO is asking any person with relevant information or video footage of 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 officers and detention guards in British Columbia. It investigates all incidents involving officers or detention guards that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing.