Photo: Ian Milde

There are reports of shots fired in a police action in the Westwold area.

UPDATE 2:37 p.m.

Traffic is once again moving on Highway 97 near Westwold.

UPDATE 12:20 p.m.

North Okanagan RCMP have confirmed shots were fired by a suspect in a dynamic police incident which unfolded earlier this morning in Falkland and Westwold.

Police have a man and woman in police custody.

Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy said on Dec. 3, just before 8 a.m., police were notified of a suspicious vehicle in the Falkland area.

“RCMP officers controlled access to the highway and strategically set up roadblocks in an attempt to safely stop the vehicle,” said Noseworthy. “The driver failed to stop for police and allegedly fired shots from the vehicle as it fled from our officers, posing a serious risk to public safety.

“With the use of a tire-deflation device, police officers were able to bring the vehicle to a stop just east of Westwold, where two occupants were taken into custody without further incident.”

North Okanagan RCMP were assisted by the Southeast District Emergency Response Team (SED ERT), RCMP Police Dog Services, and a RCMP fixed wing aircraft from Kelowna Air Services.

Out of an abundance of caution RCMP ordered the lock down of Westwold Elementary School. That order has since been lifted.

“RCMP are not aware of any serious injuries as a result of this dynamic police incident at this time,” said Noseworthy.

“Highway 97 remains closed to traffic between Falkland and Westwold while the scene is processed by RCMP. Motorists are urged to monitor DriveBC for further updates.”

The investigation is in its initial stages and no further information is being released at this time.

North Okanagan RCMP will be working with investigators of the Kamloops and Merritt Detachments to determine if there are any nexuses to their ongoing investigations.

Anyone who witnessed this incident or has video regarding it is asked to contact the North Okanagan RCMP at 250-546-3028.

UPDATE 10:26 p.m.

There are unconfirmed reports of shots fired at a police incident north of Falkland.

Ian Milde told Castanet he heard multiple shots fired and saw two people being arrested in a field in the Westwold area, 20 minutes from Falkland on Highway 97 heading toward Kamloops.

Monty Unrau said at 10 a.m. today, “Cops are spike belting the road. Running around with machine guns. They've got a guy who took shots at them in Westwold.”

Two people have posted on social media they heard 19 shots fired, but that has yet to be confirmed by RCMP,

ORIGINAL

A witness has told Castanet about a heavy police presence in Falkland.

There are unconfirmed reports of multiple police vehicles, ERT members and the police helicopter in the area, but that has not been confirmed by police.

One resident said several police cars were spotted at the Falkand RCMP detachment which is unusual for the community 30 minutes from Vernon on Highway 97.

Castanet will have more information as soon as it becomes available.

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