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B.C.’s police watchdog is investigating a shootout near Merritt on Thursday that landed a wanted man in hospital with gunshot wounds.
According to Mounties, the driver of a stolen vehicle, alleged to be Ron Karlson, opened fire on officers at a roadblock outside Merritt early Thursday afternoon.
Prior to that, police said, Karlson led them on a dangerous pursuit through Merritt just before noon. He was wanted in relation to two breach charges and described on Thursday as “armed and dangerous.”
According to police, shots were also fired from the stolen vehicle at workers in the Midday Valley Road area.
“Police confronted the man in the suspect vehicle at a police road block and shots were fired at police,” RCMP spokesperson Dawn Roberts said in a news release.
“Officers discharged their firearms, hitting the man, and officers rammed the vehicle until it was disabled.”
Police said the man was provided immediate medical aid and airlifted to hospital. A female passenger in the vehicle was treated for minor injuries and later released.
Karlson is still in hospital, believed to be in serious condition. There is no update on his status.
The Independent Investigations Office, B.C.’s police watchdog agency, is investigating the incident.
