1 RCMP officer killed, 2 seriously injured while executing search warrant in Coquitlam, B.C.

One RCMP officer was killed and two others were seriously injured while police were executing a search warrant at a home in Coquitlam, B.C., Friday.

The suspect was also shot and sustained serious injuries, according to an official statement issued by Mounties Friday afternoon.

"The attending officers became engaged in an altercation with a man which resulted in multiple officers being injured and the man being shot," B.C. RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kris Clark said in a media release.

"Emergency Health Services transported all injured to hospital, but one of the officers was shot and succumbed to their injuries."

At a news conference Friday evening, Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald – the commanding officer of the B.C. RCMP – identified the deceased officer as Const. Rick O'Brien.

"This is an extremely tragic and difficult day," McDonald said, adding that the RCMP family is "gutted" by the loss.

• Read more: Slain B.C. RCMP officer identified

Mounties said the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has been deployed and will investigate O'Brien's death and the injuries to the other officers. 

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. – which is the civilian agency that looks into all incidents involving police that result in death or serious injury to a member of the public – has been called to investigate the actions of police.

The neighbouring city of Pitt Meadows confirmed on social media Friday afternoon that an officer from the Ridge Meadows detachment – which serves the cities of Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge – had been killed in the line of duty.

"Our heartfelt condolences go to the families of the victims as well as our local officers," the post reads.

Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy also shared condolences in a statement provided to CTV News.

"The news of this tragedy will shake the heart of our community, and it will take time to truly process the loss and the impact," Ruimy said. "Today is a devastating reminder of both the courage and the risk every officer carries as they serve our community each day. I have no doubt that the people of Maple Ridge will rally around the families and entire force as they face the difficult days and weeks ahead."

Authorities said little about what unfolded on Glen Drive in Coquitlam Friday morning, but from the start, reports were dire.

Premier David Eby was addressing the Union of B.C. Municipalities convention as the incident was occurring, and he began his remarks to reporters after the speech by acknowledging that there had been a "critical incident" in Coquitlam involving the RCMP.

Earlier in the day, police said they were responding to an "ongoing incident" that closed a main road in Coquitlam. Witnesses reported hearing shots fired as part of a standoff at a condo building.

Coquitlam RCMP said only that Glen Drive had been closed between Pinetree Way and High Street, and asked the public to avoid the area.

Heavily armed officers from the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team could be seen at the scene, and witnesses told CTV News they had observed a police officer limping out of the building with blood all over his leg, and another person being stretchered out.

The area where the incident occurred is Coquitlam's civic centre. City hall is about a block away, and the city's Glen Pine Pavilion is located within the section of road that was closed.

On its official Twitter account, the city announced that as a result of Friday's incident, all programs and activities at the pavilion would be cancelled for the day.  

🛑As a result, all programs and activities at Glen Pine Pavilion (1200 Glen Pine Court) have been cancelled for today. Those in registered programs will be contacted by staff shortly. https://t.co/dduGNUdMBK

— City of Coquitlam (@cityofcoquitlam) September 22, 2023