Regina woman among hundreds stranded in B.C. overnight during manhunt for Saskatchewan homicide suspect
Sheldon Thunderblanket, 40, believed to have shot RCMP officer near Golden, B.C. on Tuesday
Shawna Oochoo and a friend were stranded overnight near Revelstoke, B.C., while RCMP searched for a Saskatchewan man wanted in a homicide case and for allegedly shooting an RCMP officer.
Oochoo, who is from Regina, said a highway official told them a police officer was shot and they would not be able to get through to Revelstoke.
- Manhunt underway in Revelstoke for suspect in B.C. shooting and Saskatchewan homicide
- Man charged with murder in Little Pine First Nation death
They were stopped at 9 p.m. CST and did not leave until 6 a.m. CST.
"We were held up at Revelstoke, B.C. for about 12 hours. There were people sleeping in booths at the Tim Hortons. There were cars everywhere. Semis weren't able to move. They had to wait on the side of the road," Oochoo said.
Thunderblanket charged with 1st-degree murder in Sask.
A manhunt has been underway for Sheldon Kyle Thunderblanket, 40, who is considered armed and dangerous. RCMP spent the night searching in the area, assisted by helicopters and dogs.
Thunderblanket was charged with first-degree murder after someone was found dead on Little Pine First Nation, Sask., Monday night. A second person was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Oochoo and her friend slept in their truck. Luckily, the back of the truck had a cabin.
"We were really surprised. It was really shocking. It probably happened a few hours before we arrived. This person is still out on the loose. They don't know who this person is. It was really concerning and alarming for us. It was really scary," she said.
Oochoo said they were able to sleep better knowing there was a heavy police presence in the area.
When they finally were able to leave, Oochoo snapped a photo of an abandoned red minivan in the westbound lane. Oochoo believes the vehicle with Saskatchewan plates is connected to Thunderblanket.
Thunderblanket is described as:
- Aboriginal male.
- Five feet six inches tall and weighing 209 pounds.
- Black hair and brown eyes.
RCMP officer shot
At about 2:30 p.m. PST Tuesday, a suspect opened fire on a female officer at a traffic stop in the Trans-Canada Highway near Golden.
Police say the suspect refused to follow orders and fired at the officer before stealing another vehicle at gunpoint and fleeing, prompting police to close the Trans-Canada Highway between Golden and Revelstoke.
On Wednesday morning, police confirmed Thunderblanket was also the suspect in the shooting near Golden, and manhunt was underway in nearby Revelstoke.
The officer was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to her arm. Police say the injury is not life-threatening.