British Columbia’s police watchdog says it is investigating after a man was shot and killed by RCMP in Penticton on Tuesday.
RCMP say officers responded to a call of a man acting erratically and reportedly holding a knife on Government Street at around 3:15 p.m. PT.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) said in a statement that police tried to arrest the man.
“The officer suffered an injury during the interaction and discharged their firearm, leaving the man with a gunshot injury,” said the IIO.
First aid was performed at the scene, and the man was taken to hospital, where he later died, said the IIO.
The officer was also taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released, RCMP said. No other injuries were reported.
RCMP said they notified the IIO about the incident.
The civilian-led police investigation agency said it’s working to confirm details of the incident and whether the police’s use of force was “necessary, reasonable, and proportionate in the circumstances.”
RCMP have said they will not be releasing additional information about the case as it is now under investigation by the oversight agency.
The IIO is asking anyone with video footage or information about the incident to contact them.