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IIO looking for witnesses in Qualicum Beach shooting

The incident took place early morning of Oct. 12 on Highway 19
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RCMP investigating a body on the side of Highway 19 following a police-involved shooting on the morning of Oct. 12. The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is now seeking witnesses to the fatal incident that involved RCMP officers. — Lauren Collins photo

The Independent Investigation Office of B.C. is looking for witnesses following a fatal incident in Qualicum Beach earlier this month.

RELATED: IIO called to Qualicum Beach after officer-involved shooting

RCMP officers were responding to a report of a male in distress who had allegedly stabbed himself inside a vehicle in the 39000-block of the inland Island Highway on Thursday, Oct. 12 around 6 a.m., according to an RCMP release Oct. 12.

Further 9-1-1 calls informed police that the man was “running down the highway and that someone was trying to restrain him.”

When they arrived, a struggle ensued and at least one shot was fired by police, according to the the Oct. 12 release.

A struggle ensued between the male and officers and he was subsequently shot. The male did not survive his injuries and two officers were transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

IIO investigators were deployed to the scene and have since been interviewing witnesses, collecting physical evidence, interviewing officers and reviewing medical reports, according to a release from the IIO Thursday (Oct. 26).

The IIO is asking anyone who saw, heard or recorded the incident to contact the IIO witness line at 1-855-446-8477.

— NEWS Staff