Image Credit: Facebook / Twister Love

By James Peters

Viral Video

Kamloops RCMP weigh in on arrest video, say drugs were seized

Aug 3, 2023 | 5:16 PM

KAMLOOPS — RCMP have released their own version of the events partially captured on video in front of Kamloops City Hall Monday evening (July 31).

WATCH: (Video Credit: Facebook / Twister Love)

In a news release issued Thursday afternoon, RCMP E-Division spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kris Clark says a Mountie was conducting patrols at about 6:38 p.m. Monday when he saw a man in a white vehicle in the City Hall parking lot. The man was reportedly yelling and swearing at a woman standing with her dog.

When the man got out of the vehicle, the officer believed the man may have been preparing to get violent.

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The Mountie, identified on the video with a ‘D. Tucker’ name badge, arrested the man for causing a disturbance. While in the process, the man is said to have handed a bag to the woman with the dog.

Tucker noticed another woman inside the white vehicle who appeared to be badly injured with blood on her face. Considering a shooting investigation earlier in the evening, Tucker believed the two incidents may be related. Later, the woman was medically assessed but was uncooperative with police.

Clark says the woman with the bag appeared to be leaving and Tucker thought the bag might contain evidence of a crime. When the officer tried to get the bag, it’s alleged she placed the dog between the two of them. The officer says the dog bit his holster. That is not shown in the video.

In the release, Clark says the woman continued to place the dog between herself and the officer, even after she was told she was under arrest. Clark says Tucker drew his service pistol because the dog was acting aggressively before it was handed to another bystander.

The officer alleges the woman resisted arrest, leading to his handcuffs flying beneath a nearby picnic table. While maintaining control of the woman, he retrieved his handcuffs. Clark says the second woman, who CFJC Today learned was Tabitha Sabyan, “continued to film and taunt him.”

“Our officers face countless risks every day and make spilt-second decisions, often based on extremely limited information,” said Supt. Jeff Pelley in the release. “It’s important to understand the full circumstances of any incident, rather than rely on a social media video that may not provide complete context.”

The release notes 29.7 grams of suspected fentanyl and 5.9 grams of suspected methamphetamines were seized, along with small amounts of cocaine and crack.

No charges were laid and both arrested individuals were released.

Pelley says the detachment is conducting a comprehensive review of the incident.