The Independent Investigation Office of B.C. is currently investigating an incident involving a man being shot with a ‘less-lethal’ sponge round by the police. The incident took place along the north end of Skaha Lake in Penticton, after the RCMP responded to a reported stabbing around 5 a.m. The complainant indicated that the armed suspect was coming towards him before the call was dropped. Officers rushed to the scene but could not locate the victim. The complainant called again, indicating that the suspect was by the washrooms, where they found a man who refused to comply with police directions and was shot with a less-lethal round.
The man was apprehended and taken to the hospital for assessment, where he was treated for a possible serious injury. It was later determined that the man taken into custody was the same person who made the 911 calls, and there was no victim from the original call. The IIO mentioned that the man was in possession of a weapon and that it is not believed that anyone was actually stabbed, as initially reported in the 911 call. The IIO’s initial investigation indicated that the man’s injuries met the threshold of serious harm, and further investigation will determine if police actions were necessary, reasonable, and proportionate to the circumstances.
The IIO’s statement did not mention the man being shot with a less-lethal round, as reported by the RCMP. Those who witnessed the incident are encouraged to contact the IIO’s witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or use their online contact form. The investigation will seek to determine the need for police actions in this incident and whether they were justified based on the circumstances. The public will be updated as the investigation progresses, and any additional information regarding the incident will be provided by the IIO.
The incident in Penticton highlights the complexities of police responses to emergency situations and the use of less-lethal force. It also brings attention to the importance of thorough investigations into police actions to ensure accountability and transparency. As the investigation unfolds, more details about the incident will be revealed, shedding light on the sequence of events and the decision-making process of the officers involved. The outcome of this investigation will have implications for police procedures and training to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Overall, the incident involving the man being shot with a less-lethal round by the police in Penticton is under investigation by the Independent Investigation Office of B.C. Important details regarding the incident, including the initial stabbing report and the use of force by the police, are being examined to determine the necessity and reasonableness of police actions. Witnesses are encouraged to come forward with any information to assist in the investigation. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations into law enforcement actions to uphold accountability and transparency in the justice system.
