Gunfight and police chase near Merritt sends two to hospital
KAMLOOPS – Two people, including a child thought to be under 12, are in hospital following a wild police chase that included a gun fight near Merritt Sunday (June 6).
Police say it began just around 3:50 p.m. when Merritt RCMP attempted to stop a F-350 pick-up truck, hauling a flat deck trailer. Mounties say they were investigating a stolen property file. The vehicle fled from police but was spotted again around 5:30 p.m., this time without the trailer.
A chase ensued along Highway 5A. A spike belt initially stopped the vehicle, but the driver managed to carry on. However RCMP finally stopped the vehicle just west of Merritt along Highway 8 near Snake Road.
Throughout the chase, Mounties say gun shots were exchanged between the suspects and police. The condition of the adult male and youth in the pick-up truck is not known. No police officers were injured.