A BC Cop Was Killed in a Shootout with a Suspected Car Thief

An Abbotsford police officer has died of gunshot injuries after exchanging fire with a suspected car thief.

Police Chief Bob Rich told reporters the officer was a "hero" who died "protecting his community" at a press conference Monday afternoon.

Cops were responding to a report of a stolen vehicle at a mall parking around noon Monday, according to police. The 911 caller, who blocked the suspect from pulling out with his car, told police the man then opened fire with a shotgun.

When police attempted to arrest the suspect, the man allegedly fired at police. The officer, who has not been named, was immediately rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The suspect, who police say is an Alberta man in his sixties, fled the scene in the stolen vehicle but was arrested a few blocks away. The man was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He has yet to be named or charged.

It's rare for police to die in the line of duty in British Columbia. According to Statistics Canada, only 10 cops have been killed on the job between 1961 and 2009 in BC.

BC's Independent Investigations Office, which investigates officer-involved incidents, is looking into the shooting.

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