UPDATE: A man was shot by police in West Kelowna early Friday, and now the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C. is investigating the incident.
Police say the incident happened at approximately 1 a.m., and began with a complaint of a man jumping in front of a vehicle along Westside Road near Bear Creek Provincial Park and trying to hit it with an object.
“West Kelowna RCMP members responded and located a male in the park they believed to be connected with the complaint carrying garden shears,” RCMP said in a press release.
Police say while trying to arrest the man, “an interaction occurred and the male was shot by police.”
The man, though, fled and jumped into nearby Okanagan Lake, eventually settling onto a log boom.
Police say they began negotiating with the man, and that additional members from Kelowna were brought in.
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“With the assistance of police officers both on the water in a RCMP boat and on the shore, he was eventually taken into custody at approximately 7:21 a.m. without further incident.,” said police.
The RCMP added the man received immediate medical assistance, and that his injuries are believed to be non-life threatening.
Earlier Friday, the IIO confirmed to Global News that it was on scene, investigating the incident near Bear Creek Provincial Park.
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The IIO is a civilian-led police oversight agency that investigates police incidents which result in serious harm or death.
Two witnesses at the campground reported hearing a single gunshot sometime overnight Thursday.
West Kelowna RCMP said they will continue to investigate the initial complaint and are looking to speak with any witnesses who have not already spoken to police. Anyone with information is asked to contact them at 250-768-2880.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Emergency crews, including police, have gathered near Bear Creek Provincial Park in West Kelowna, and yellow tape has been strung up near the shoreline.
Police have yet to release any information about this.
More as this develops.
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