British Columbia

Port Hardy police shooting leaves one man dead

RCMP officers on northern Vancouver Island say the province's police watchdog is now investigating the shooting death of a man by officers.

Suspect was seen 'brandishing a knife' near a wildfire staging area

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating the death of a man shot by police in Port Hardy.

RCMP officers on northern Vancouver Island say the province's police watchdog is now investigating the shooting death of a man by officers.

Officers responded on Wednesday morning to reports of a man allegedly threatening security staff at a high school on Granville Street in Port Hardy, B.C.

The school is being used as a staging area for personnel and helicopters battling local wildfires, and police say reports indicated the suspect "was brandishing a knife."

RCMP say officers tracked the suspect down on the Island Highway, a confrontation followed, police fired shots, and the suspect was killed.

No officers or members of the public were injured, and police say the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has asserted jurisdiction over the scene and will conduct an investigation, which is mandatory in any officer-related shooting.

Police say they will not make any further comment on the shooting because of the IIO investigation.