B.C.’s civilian police watchdog has confirmed that investigators are heading to Nanaimo for a police-involved “incident” at the Departure Bay ferry terminal in Nanaimo. Witnesses reported hearing shots fired in what is believed to be a police-involved shooting.
The Independent Investigations Office, which probes police-involved deaths and serious injuries, has not yet confirmed if someone was injured or killed.
Frank Leonard, chairman of the Agricultural Land Commission, was waiting to board the 10:40 p.m. sailing when he heard what sounded like a truck backfiring and then six to eight gunshots.
The incident happened at about 10:15 a.m. in the lanes exiting the ferry, Leonard said.
A B.C. Ferries announcement asked people to remain in their cars. Leonard admits he did get out of his car and walked back to see what was going on. His view was blocked by a fence but Leonard saw a cluster of police vehicles and men in plainclothes jogging over to the area.
“There was no noise at all, total silence coming from that area,” Leonard said.
Five minutes later, a few ambulances arrived.
“I saw a stretcher come out of the ambulance but I didn’t see anyone go back in,” he said.
B.C. Ferries staff stopped vehicles from unloading and re-directed them to exit via the arrivals lanes.
Nanaimo RCMP, E Division RCMP and B.C. Ferries have not yet returned calls for comment.
B.C. Coroners Service has not yet confirmed if it is involved in the incident.
#BCFHeadsUp as of 11:18am sailings from #DepartureBay are delayed until further notice due to Police incident at the terminal. Sailings available #DukePoint - #Tsawwassen: https://t.co/OfGs6iSbax ^kn
— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) May 8, 2018
.@iiobc investigators are being deployed to Nanaimo for a police related incident. More information to follow in due course at https://t.co/re8SbnwC9G
— IIOBC (@iiobc) May 8, 2018
More to come
If you witnessed this incident, please contact [email protected]
