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Update: Shots fired at Trail hospital; 1 person arrested

RCMP reported that shots were fired at the BCEHS ambulance station near Trail hospital
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Update: Trail RCMP revealed more details in the shooting at the BC Emergency Health Services Ambulance Station at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) in Trail on Tuesday (Oct.25) night.

A 29-year-old Quebec man had allegedly been transported to the hospital after a motor vehicle accident in Grand Forks, Trail detachment commander Sgt. Mike Wicentowich told the Times.

The man had discharged himself from the hospital. He then tried to enter the ambulance station and created a disturbance when police were called and two officers attended the scene at 11:48 p.m.

“The officers located the man standing in a dark area just outside the station, they attempted to verbally deescalate the situation, when the man allegedly fired several rounds from the hand gun at the two officers, and three nearby paramedics,” said Wicentowich.

The officers deployed a taser cartridge and were able to subdue and arrest the man, added Wicentowich.

BC Emergency Health Services responded to a Times inquiry, saying the incident is concerning.

“We are grateful our paramedics were not physically injured, however, we know this was a tense, distressing situation,” said Leanne Heppell, BCEHS Chief Ambulance Officer. “The paramedics who were at the station are being offered mental health support and any other support they need.

“We are immensely proud of the role our paramedics play in providing patient care, sometimes in very challenging situations, and our thoughts are with our employees as they recover from this event.

“As we normally do with any major incident that had the potential to impact the health and safety of our employees, BCEHS has opened an internal review to discover anything that can be learned from it, and so that any recommendations can be implemented as soon as possible.”

The man is not known to be local, and has been remanded on several firearm charges. He will remain in custody until Nov. 2 when he will appear by video in Rossland provincial court.

Trail RCMP continue to investigate the incident and will be recommending additional criminal charges including attempted murder.

I am thankful that no one was hurt or killed in this incident,” said Sgt. Wicentowich. “I would like to commend the bravery of the officers and paramedics who risk their lives and safety in the line of duty during a potentially deadly situation.

***

Police confirmed to the Trail Times that there was a shooting at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH), in Trail, on Tuesday (Oct. 25).

“There was a shooting near the ambulance station,” Trail and District RCMP Sgt. Mike Wicentowich said.

“No one injured, one is in custody.”

Interior Health also responded to a Trail Times inquiry.

“Interior Health can confirm the RCMP were called to Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital for an incident involving a firearm on the edge of the hospital property just before midnight on October 25,” said Ruth Kohut, director of clinical operations at KBRH.”

Kohut also confirmed no staff or patients were physically injured.

“This is a serious matter and we are ensuring anyone impacted receives follow-up and support,” said Kohut.



newsroom@trailtimes.ca

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