B.C. Watchdog Probes Injury After Fort St. John Police

Authorities in British Columbia have launched an investigation after a man was seriously injured during a police interaction in Fort St. John early Sunday morning.

The incident took place around 3:15 a.m. on March 29, 2026, when RCMP officers stopped a black Ford pickup truck near the intersection of 86 Street and 97 Avenue. According to initial information, two individuals were inside the vehicle at the time of the stop.

The vehicle was reportedly pulled over because one of the occupants was believed to have outstanding arrest warrants. During the interaction that followed, the situation escalated quickly. Police stated that a person exited the vehicle while reportedly armed with a weapon, leading to a confrontation with officers at the scene.

During this encounter, an RCMP officer discharged a firearm, striking the man who had been sitting in the passenger seat of the truck. The injured individual was immediately taken to hospital, where he remains in serious and life-threatening condition.

No police officers were physically injured during the incident, according to official statements.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of British Columbia, which is responsible for reviewing all cases involving serious harm or death connected to police actions, has taken over the investigation. The agency confirmed it was notified shortly after the incident and has begun collecting evidence to determine the sequence of events and whether police actions were justified.

At this stage, authorities have not released further details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. The RCMP also stated that no additional information will be shared until the review process is complete.

The investigation is expected to examine all aspects of the incident, including the actions of both the individual involved and the responding officers. The findings will aim to provide clarity on what happened and ensure accountability and transparency in the handling of the case.