Vancouver police shoot man dead

by Barry Artiste | December 11, 2007 at 06:10 am

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Vancouver Police on a routine patrol approach a suspected drunk driver, only to be met by gunfire, resulting in a deadly confrontation which left the suspect dead. Channel M was present and filming during the shootout witnessed by 10 bystanders and certainly opened their eyes on what one sees in crime dramas versus reality. Vancouver Police seized the Channel M videotape for further study. As for the Channel M news crew and 10 bystanders, one can be certain a change of undergarments was had by all.

Vancouver police shoot man dead

Officers seize Channel M videotape of the aftermath at Knight and 41st

Kelly Sinoski, The Vancouver Sun

Published: Monday, December 10, 2007

VANCOUVER - A man was fatally shot Monday by Vancouver police after he allegedly pulled a handgun on an officer investigating a report of a suspected drunk driver. Vancouver police Const. Tim Fanning said police were called to the Shell service station at Knight Street and 41st Avenue just before 4 p.m.

When officers arrived they found the man changing the tire of a Pontiac Sunfire. As an officer approached him, the man pulled out a handgun, Fanning said.

"Shots were exchanged," he said. "I can't say who fired first because I don't know that."

Police cars surround this Shell gas station at 41st and Knight St. in Vancouver after a man was fatally shot.View Larger Image View Larger Image

Police cars surround this Shell gas station at 41st and Knight St. in Vancouver after a man was fatally shot.

Stuart Davis/Vancouver Sun

The man, in his early 20s, was rushed to Vancouver General Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His name has not been released, pending notification of next of kin.

The officer, who had about 15 years of experience, was not hurt.

Fanning could not say how many shots were fired. About 10 witnesses, including Channel M reporter Ricky Tong, were whisked away by police in a commandeered Coast Mountain bus.

Fanning said Tong had apparently taped the scene just after the shots were fired, and the tape was being reviewed by police.

"He is certainly allowed to have his camera back," Fanning said. "We're just reviewing the tape to see if it will be evidence."

Police cordoned off the Shell station with yellow tape, and blocked the three southbound lanes on Knight Street during rush hour.

Inside the cordon, officers continued to examine the Sunfire, which appeared to have collided head-on with a BMW, which was parked at one of the pumps.

Two unmarked police cars and the Channel M car, along with two other vehicle, remained inside the police tape. After the shooting, about a dozen police police cars were at the scene.

By 6 p.m., most of them had left.