The search is on for a suspect after an officer was shot while making a traffic stop on the Trans-Canada Highway near Golden.
Several officers stopped the vehicle at about 3:00 p.m. near the weigh scales west of Golden, B.C. in connection with a possible theft. The suspect in the vehicle would not cooperate and then stole a nearby vehicle.
"At this time we're confirming that our officer sustained a gunshot injury during the circumstances surrounding the initial vehicle stop. The police officer has been taken to hospital. The officer and family are being offered all possible support", says Staff Sergeant Rob Vermeulen, spokesperson for RCMP in B.C.
Bystanders say they were shocked by what they were seeing and hearing.
“I heard something, I shut my truck off because I thought it was making a noise, then I heard more gunshots,” said one.
“I just heard the noise, never thought of gunshots at that point, then I see people running across the road and think, something's going on,” said another.
“Police come down with their high powered rifles saying get out of your vehicles and over the bank because this idiot's coming back and we don't want you to get hit by gunfire,” said a third.
The highway was shut down for hours while police investigated, and was partially re-opened on Tuesday evening.
