The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIOBC) has been called in after a man was shot by police in Vancouver's Gastown neighbourhood on Monday (Nov. 28).
The incident occurred around 10 p.m. when police were called to reports of a man with a weapon in the 300-block of Cambie Street.
The man had allegedly assaulted several strangers near Abbott and West Cordova streets prior to police involvement.
According to witnesses, the man slapped a woman, assaulted a cyclist, tried to attack someone who was walking with a group of people past Nester's Market, and allegedly tried to start a fight near the Metropole Pub. The man also allegedly waved around a weapon before being confronted by police.
"When [police] arrived on scene, the man was still in possession of that weapon and during the interaction he was shot by officers," a spokesperson for the Metro Vancouver Transit Police tells Vancouver Is Awesome.
In a release they note the 38-year-old was shot by transit police and multiple shots were fired.
In their own release, the IIOBC note the incident was attended by both transit police and officers with the Vancouver Police Department (VPD).
"Emergency Health Services attended, and the man was transported to a local hospital for treatment of gunshot-related injuries," states the IIOBC.
The current status of the man has not been released, though the IIOBC note he was seriously injured at the time of the shooting. The transit police say he remains in custody while in the hospital.
No officers were injured in the incident.
The IIOBC is looking for witnesses to the incident. Anyone who saw the incident is asked to contact the IIOBC via phone at 1-855-446-8477 or via the IIOBC website.
VPD's Major Crime Section is investigating the alleged attack prior to police involvement and are asking victims or witnesses to call 604-717-2541.
