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Houston RCMP member pulls trigger on suspected boat thief

Injury not life threatening; IIO investigating
BC_police watchdog_IIO

B.C.'s civilian-based police watchdog has been notified of a police-involved shooting near Houston.

B.C. RCMP said members of the community's RCMP detachment were called shortly after 3:30 a.m. Tuesday  to a report of a break, enter and theft of a boat in progress at a lodge in Topley Landing.

"The members staged near a bridge in the area anticipating anyone leaving the area would travel past their location," B.C. RCMP said in a statement. "A vehicle approached and members noted it was towing a boat believed to be stolen from the lodge. Police say that the vehicle allegedly drove towards one of police officers who fired their service pistol."

The vehicle's driver suffered a non-life threatening injury and was taken to an area hospital for medical assessment and cleared for police custody.

Both the driver and a passenger from the vehicle were arrested in connection with the initial theft investigation, which is being led by the Houston RCMP. The scene has been secured and is being processed.

The Independent Investigations Office was subsequently notified and is investigating the actions of police, B.C. RCMP said.

"As the matter is now under investigation by the IIO BC, no further information will be released by police." B.C. RCMP said.