SLOCAN CITY, B.C. — British Columbia’s police watchdog is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a suspect who triggered an extensive manhunt in the southern community of Slocan.
Peter DeGroot died Monday, five days after he allegedly shot at Mounties and fled, prompting police to lock down the village as they searched for him.
Chief Supt. Frank Smart says two members of the RCMP’s emergency response team found DeGroot in a cabin on Monday afternoon.
Smart says there was an interaction between the 45-year-old suspect and the two officers and then DeGroot died, but he refused to give further details.
The Independent Investigations Office has confirmed there was contact made between DeGroot and the two officers, and DeGroot sustained serious injuries and died at the scene.
Spokesman Ralph Krenz says investigators from his office and BC Coroners Service will be at the scene on Tuesday morning.