Citizen-led IIO to investigate after person suffers life-threatening injuries in Fort St. John traffic stop

Update, March 29th, 7:20 p.m.: This story has been updated to include new details of the citizen-led Independent Investigations Office being called in by the B.C. RCMP.

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — British Columbia has notified the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of an incident in Fort St. John in which a man sustained life-threatening injuries.

The IIO is a civilian-led police agency responsible for providing oversight in incidents where death or serious harm may have been the result of actions or inactions by police.

The Fort St. John RCMP said in an earlier statement that an altercation occurred at 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, March 29th during a traffic stop in the 9700 block of 86th Street in Fort St. John.

The latest information says an occupant of the stopped vehicle “was believed to have outstanding warrants by police.” RCMP claimed an individual exited the vehicle, allegedly armed with a weapon.

Ensuing interactions with an officer and the individual led to the policeman discharging their firearm.

According to a press release issued by the B.C. RCMP on Sunday evening, the individual was taken to hospital with serious, life-threatening injuries. No officers were harmed as a result of the incident.

Due to the B.C. IIO now being in charge of the investigation, the press release said no further information will be released by law enforcement.

Energeticcity.ca will provide more information about this story if it becomes available.