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(Update: Jan. 24 @ 10:30 a.m.) - Ron McDonald, the Civilian Director with the IIOBC told NowMedia this morning that the suspect involved in a shooting with police yesterday afternoon is in "serious condition."
Not much information can be released about the incident at this time. McDonald said that they need to finish speaking with witnesses.
When asked what led to the mobilization of the tactical response unit in Kelowna, McDonald said that at this time they aren’t sure. The IIOBC is still working on getting their people out to Kelowna, due to poor roads conditions and flight delays and cancellations from the fog.
“We’re still working on getting there,” he said. “We should have some people there shortly and gathering information.
McDonald added that more details will likely not be available until the investigation has concluded.
McDonald also said he could not say anything about whether the incident was in any way related to two shootings in Kamloops yesterday morning that left two men dead.
The Kelowna RCMP confirmed yesterday that the incident was not a "banking related offence" despite the it taking place near the banking institution CIBC.
The investigation is in the hands of the IIOBC at this time.
(Update: Jan 23 @ 8:45 p.m.) - The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIOBC) has confirmed that one suspect is in the hospital with critical injuries after being shot by police outside the CIBC along Harvey Avenue.
According to the IIOBC, at around 3 p.m., officers attempted to apprehend a male in Kelowna. During this altercation, shots were fired by police and the male was sent to the hospital.
Any potential witnesses of the incident are asked to call the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477.
Just after 3 p.m. this afternoon, January 23, Plain Clothes Kelowna RCMP officers and officers from the Southeast District Emergency Response Team attempted to conduct the arrest of man known to police, near Cooper Road and Harvey Avenue in Kelowna. Shots were fired by police. The man has been transported to hospital with "undetermined injuries" that police say are believed to be non-life threatening.
Kelowna RCMP said that while the incident occurred near a banking institution, the arrest is not related to an offence at the bank. The Kelowna RCMP are investigating the incidents that led to the need for the arrest.
(Update: Jan 23 @ 5:30 p.m.) - The Independent Investigations Office (IIOBC) has confirmed an "officer-involved shooting" took place outside of the CIBC along Harvey Avenue on Wednesday afternoon.
.@iiobc Deploys to Officer-Involved Shooting in Kelowna. Investigators will arrive later this evening. More details will be provided as they become available.
— IIOBC (@iiobc) January 24, 2019
(Update: Jan. 23 @ 4 p.m.) - RCMP have cordoned off the CIBC parking lot in the Orchard Park shopping mall following a situation that involved heavy police presence and gunshots.
A CIBC customer reported hearing several gunshots at roughly 3 p.m. from outside of the bank, but said no robbery occurred inside.
"We heard a crash and there was a lot of commotion in the office," said CIBC customer Jackie Marsh. "I was on the second floor looking down into the parking lot and you could see a lot of blood, debris and the SWAT type officers."
A KelownaNow reader reported seeing a woman being detained at the scene and photographed a man in cuffs.
The Independent Investigations Office (IIOBC) has confirmed they are sending officers to the scene.
.@iiobc Deploys to Officer-Involved Shooting in Kelowna. Investigators will arrive later this evening. More details will be provided as they become available.
— IIOBC (@iiobc) January 24, 2019
A Kelowna Cabs vehicle was also involved in an accident at the scene, with multiple RCMP SUV's photographed beside it.
KelownaNow will update this story as more information becomes available.
Do you have tips, photos or video? Please send to news@kelownanow.com
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