American shot by B.C. RCMP faces charges
SMITHERS, B.C. – A 24-year-old driver who got shot when he allegedly dragged a cop with a truck suspected to be stolen is an American citizen with previous brushes with the law in the U.S.
RCMP said several shots were fired by a policeman who had stopped the truck on Saturday after a nearby detachment issued a bulletin for police to look out for the vehicle.
“Indications are that a number of shots were fired by the officer being dragged along with the vehicle,” said Const. Craig Douglas.
“It is believed that more than one bullet struck the suspect driver. The driver is still in hospital and expected to recover,” he said.
Police are recommending several charges against the man who has not been publicly named. Police said some 20 witnesses have now been interviewed over the incident.
“The driver has been confirmed to be an American citizen. There are indications that he has been involved with American authorities in the past. Inquiries are being made with American police agencies to confirm this,” said Douglas.
“Charges of Possession of Stolen Property and Dangerous Driving under the Criminal Code of Canada are being recommended to Crown Counsel against the 24-year-old man for this incident. The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be added,” he said.
The truck that was stopped by Smithers RCMP members has been confirmed stolen from Salmon Arm sometime during the evening of November 19th or early morning of November 20th. Smithers RCMP were responding to the alert and stopped the vehicle for a check.
While the officer was trying to get the suspect out of the vehicle, the truck accelerated, dragging the policeman along.
The suspect was flown to a Vancouver hospital where he is in stable condition.
A senior officer from another police detachment is investigating the case and an observer from the public complaints commission is keeping an eye on the probe to assure impartiality.
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well after all these years of respect we have none anymore, obviously federal and provincial governments do not realise that 1st nations cannot have alcohol and we raised many first nation children under the foster care program and most of the time paid our own way! but they are all drug and alcohol free we have worked verry hard and YOU HAVE UNDONE ALL THE WORK AND WE HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE R.C.M.P. THANKS FOR DESTROYING ALL WE HAVE WORKED FOR