Deadman-Vidette Road (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By James Peters

Killed by Police

Suspect in apparent abduction killed by RCMP near Walhachin; police watchdog investigating

Aug 15, 2022 | 3:36 PM

WALHACHIN, B.C. — B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating after a man was killed after an apparent abduction near Walhachin Sunday evening (Aug. 14).

In a news release, B.C. RCMP say 9-1-1 operators received a call at about 5:20 p.m., apparently coming from a woman in a vehicle. The woman was asking for help.

Shortly afterward, a caller reported seeing an erratic driver on the Trans Canada Highway, with a woman trying to get out of the vehicle.

A third call, received at about 5:45 p.m., reported that a family member and child had been abducted. Responding officers found an empty vehicle with a weapon inside.

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Investigators found the suspect’s vehicle 14 kilometres up Deadman-Vidette Road.

Just before 9:00 p.m. Sunday, officers surrounded a rural property near Walhachin after the initial suspect was reported near a trailer. Emergency Response Team (ERT) officers blocked the road to the public.

Meantime, officers visiting the suspect’s home in the Kamloops RCMP detachment area found a woman inside, injured and bound. She was taken to hospital for treatment.

More than six hours later, after 3:00 a.m. Monday, officers saw the suspect leave the trailer with a weapon and a child.

“During the engagement with officers, the man was shot and killed,” notes the RCMP news release.

RCMP say the child was not injured and a second woman inside the trailer was found with non-life-threatening injuries. She was also taken to hospital for care.

While RCMP are investigating the initial complaint and second assault, the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) is looking into the officers’ actions in relation to the man’s death.

Anyone with further information, including dashcam or other video footage, is asked to contact the IIO at 1 (855) 446-8477 or via the IIO website.