Man shot and killed by police inside B.C. emergency room, IIO investigating

A man was shot and killed by police inside the emergency room of a hospital in B.C. on Wednesday, sparking an investigation by the province’s police watchdog.

Mounties say they responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision on the Coquihalla Highway at the Zopkios offramp at 11:44 a.m. Multiple people were taken to a Fraser Canyon Hospital in Hope with non-life-threatening injuries.

At the hospital, RCMP say an altercation allegedly took place between two of the injured people, resulting in BCEHS staff needing police assistance.

Inside the emergency department, an “interaction occurred” between one man and attending officers, according to the Independent Investigations Office of B.C.

One of the officers discharged their firearm, RCMP say.

According to police, the man received “immediate medical attention,” but was pronounced dead at the scene.

The IIO is now investigating, and asks any person with relevant information to contact their witness line at 1-855-446-8477 or via the contact form on the iiobc.ca website.

"The entirety of the incident, from the incident on the highway right through to the situation at the hospital that led to this man's death, all of that background or otherwise is important to our investigation," said IIO Civilian Director Ron MacDonald.

The emergency department at Fraser Canyon Hospital was temporarily closed for the investigation.

It reopened around 8 a.m. Thursday, according to the Fraser Health Authority.

“We are grateful for the community’s patience and kindness during this distressing incident and as our staff and medical staff return to work,” it said in a statement. “While we are relieved our patients, staff and medical staff are physically safe and unharmed, we recognize the significant psychological and spiritual impact this deeply distressing incident has had on everyone who was present.”

Fraser Health says it has supports in place to help those affected, including social workers and its Critical Incident Stress Management team.

With files from CTV News Vancouver's Becca Clarkson