The Independent Investigation Unit has ruled the shooting of a suspect during a pursuit in Portage la Prairie last summer was justified.
The incident happened June 27, 2017.
RCMP responded to reports of an armed man who had fired shots after stealing a vehicle in Headingley. Police located the suspect in the stolen vehicle in Portage la Prairie and conducted a traffic stop, but the armed man took off on foot.
READ MORE: Armed suspect injured and apprehended by RCMP in Portage la Prairie, Man.
Schools were locked down and the city was put on alert as police searched for the armed suspect.
He was eventually spotted hitchhiking on the Trans-Canada Highway.
The IIU report said the suspect was chased into a potato field and refused officers’ repeated demands to stop and show his hands. Police fired two shots when the suspect appeared to reach for his waist — the man was hit once in the buttocks. He was taken to hospital in stable condition and later released.
RELATED: IIU finds Winnipeg police officers acted reasonably in St. Boniface shooting
IIU Director Zane Tessler said in a statement “the officer was in a potentially volatile situation and believed the suspect intended to shoot the officers”. Tessler said, under the circumstances, the action of the officers was considered reasonable.
The suspect still faces charges relating to the incident.
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