By James Peters/CFJC Today Staff

IIO clear Salmon Arm Mountie for shooting a suspect from Nanaimo

Feb 19, 2018 | 1:37 PM

SALMON ARM — B.C.’s police watchdog cleared a Salmon Arm RCMP officer of wrongdoing after he shot a theft suspect from Nanaimo who he believed was attempting to run over a fellow officer.

Kaymen Winter, 22 and wanted in Nanaimo, was seriously injured on Jan. 30, 2017 outside Xcalibur Kawasaki and Carwash.

Three officers had arrived at the carwash just after midnight, responding to a 911 report of someone breaking into a coin box.

The officers positioned their vehicles to prevent the suspect, Winter, from leaving in his truck, which was inside one of the wash bays.

According to the Independent Investigations Office, Winter drove toward an officer who was outside his cruiser. 

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Winter later told the IIO he did not see the officer in front of him and had intended to drive past the police car that was blocking his truck’s path.

As the truck moved toward the Mountie, a second responding officer fired 14 rounds at Winter from his rifle, leaving Winter with multiple gunshot wounds, including to his head.

He was rushed to hospital and survived his injuries. His next court appearance is scheduled from March 1 in Kamloops.

The officer who fired the rifle declined to provide a statement or his notes to the IIO, which is within his rights.

According to the IIO’s investigation, including interviews with witnesses, the Mountie could have reasonably believed his fellow officer was in great danger when he fired his weapon.

As a result, the IIO says it will not refer the case to the Crown for consideration of charges.