(Image Credit: IIO)
By James Peters
IIO

IIO investigating fatal roadside incident near Merritt last week

Apr 7, 2026 | 1:59 PM

MERRITT, B.C. — BC’s police watchdog is investigating an incident near Merritt last week that resulted in a man losing his life.

In a news release issued Tuesday (April 7), the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) says the incident began at about 9:30 p.m. last Thursday, along Highway 97C near Iron Mountain Road south of Merritt.

The IIO says an RCMP officer came across a vehicle parked at the side of the road with a man inside. The officer reported the man had a gun.

Around the same time, a caller alerted police that they were concerned for a family member who was believed to be in the area.

More officers arrived on scene, including members of the Emergency Response Team, who contained the area.

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Once they were in place, they used remote equipment and determined the man had sustained a gunshot wound, believed to be self-inflicted. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation has been turned over to the IIO, who will work to determine if the action or inaction of the RCMP played a part in the man’s death.

Anyone who witnessed any portion of the incident is asked to contact the IIO witness line at 1 (855) 446-8477 or by using the contact form on the IIO’s website.

by James Peters

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