GOLDEN, B.C. — The RCMP say they have found a stolen vehicle they believe is connected with a suspect wanted in the shooting of a Mountie in southeastern British Columbia.
The RCMP say the officer was shot Tuesday as police stopped a vehicle believed to be involved in a theft near the town of Golden.
Police describe the situation as escalating quickly, adding that a vehicle was stolen at gunpoint and the suspect got away.
The Mounties say they are looking for Sheldon Kyle Thunderblanket, who is considered armed and dangerous.
#goldenbc shocked to hear about #RCMP being shot. Traffic is not going anywhere but we are safe and warm. pic.twitter.com/sWBdOhh6q7
— Dennis Bil (@dennybil) October 12, 2016
The RCMP say they believe they are dealing with a suspect wanted in connection with a murder and attempted murder in Saskatchewan.
RCMP spokesman Staff Sgt. Rob Vermeulen says in a statement that the officer was injured during a "rapidly evolving series of events" on Tuesday afternoon.
Rob Creasser, with the Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada, says the unidentified female officer was shot in the arm, but details on the situation remain scarce.
Vermeulen says multiple officers were trying to stop a vehicle believed to be associated with a theft when shots were fired. He says another vehicle was allegedly stolen at gunpoint shortly after.
The officer's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A spokeswoman for the Provincial Health Services Authority says one patient was airlifted from a police incident near Golden to an undisclosed hospital in serious but stable condition.
"The police officer has been taken to hospital. The officer and family are being offered all possible support," Vermeulen says.
The wounded officer was still in hospital and her injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
Police have released few details about the officer who was wounded, but Rob Creasser of the Mounted Police Professional Association of Canada says the female officer was shot in the arm.
The stolen vehicle was found Tuesday night by police outside Revelstoke.
Police say an extensive search of the area was done throughout the night, but no arrests have been made.
The shooting closed Highway 1 west of Golden for several hours Tuesday. Traffic was reduced to one lane Wednesday morning.
