Police in B.C. say the man wanted in connection to the shooting of an RCMP officer near Golden on Tuesday has been found dead in an area east of Revelstoke.
Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at about 3:00 p.m. near the weigh scales west of Golden, B.C.
The suspect in the vehicle refused to cooperate with police and then stole a nearby vehicle and drove away. Police searched for the suspect through the night but were unable to locate him.
Cst. Amber Brunner was shot during the incident and was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries where she remains.
"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.
The stolen vehicle was located late Tuesday night just outside of Revelstoke and police combed an area about 4 kilometres east of the community on Wednesday morning.
The search for Sheldon Kyle Thunderblanket, 40, began after two people were seriously injured after a shooting on the Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan just before midnight on Monday.
Tami Frank was found in the home and was pronounced dead at the scene and her sister Lacey was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Thunderblanket was wanted on a number of charges in that incident including; first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, mischief, assault and breach of undertaking.
On Wednesday afternoon, RCMP in B.C. confirmed that Thunderblanket was found dead within the seach area east of Revelstoke.
The B.C. Coroner Service is working to determine the exact cause of death andthe Independent Investigation Office of B.C. will now investigate to see if there is a connection between his death and the actions of police.
Police say they delayed confirming the death of the suspect until next of kin notifications could be completed.
The Trans-Canada Highway was closed on Tuesday night while police conducted a search for the suspect.
Truck driver Ken Lehmann waited five hours for the highway to reopen after witnessing the ordeal.
“I just heard the noise and I thought, I never thought a gunshot at that point and then I seen people running across the road up there and I’m, okay, something’s going on,” he said. “I guess he got away in a vehicle that he took from some older people, left them there, and headed west.”
The Trans-Canada was reopened on Wednesday with a single lane, alternating traffic.
Any potential witnesses to these incidents are asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.
