Man shot and killed by RCMP, police dog stabbed to death in Campbell River
Posted July 8, 2021 4:45 pm.
Last Updated July 10, 2021 1:09 am.
CAMPBELL RIVER (NEWS 1130) — A “confrontation” in Campbell River resulted in the death of a man and a police service dog Thursday, according to the RCMP.
Around 9 a.m., an officer tried to stop a vehicle because the driver had an outstanding warrant. The man behind the wheel did not pull over, and fled. Soon after the car was located in a nearby parking lot.
“A police officer boxed in the vehicle and then a confrontation occurred between the suspect and the police officer, who had a Police Service Dog. During the interaction, the Police Service Dog was stabbed and killed, and the suspect was shot and was pronounced deceased on scene,” says a statement from police.
“The Police Dog Handler was also treated for a knife wound. No other persons were injured.”
The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) has been called in, as they are whenever an interaction with police ends in serious injury or death.
In a later statement, the Commanding Officer of BC RCMP said the dog — named Gator — was seven years old, and started working with police in 2016.
“It is with great sadness that we share that earlier today our Police Service Dog Gator died while assisting with a call in Campbell River,” writes Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald.
“We are mindful that the incident is under investigation by the IIO BC as it is related to a fatal police-involved shooting, so no further information is being released about the incident.”
