Peter Degroot, suspect in shootout in Slocan, dead
Degroot, 45, fled into woods on Thursday after allegedly firing on police in small Kootenay village
2:30 AM PT – CBC News
A five-day manhunt in British Columbia’s Kootenays region has ended in the death of suspected gunman Peter Degroot following an interaction with police in a cabin.
Peter Degroot named by police as suspected Slocan gunman
Degroot, 45, allegedly fired on police near the small community of Slocan after they showed up to investigate a dispute between two people — possibly over the condition of animals he was keeping.
When police returned fire, Degroot fled into the woods, prompting officers to lock down the village and evacuate schools and homes.
In a news conference Monday night, police said an emergency response team found the suspected gunman around 1.20 p.m. PT in a cabin near a gravel pit in the area.
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is now investigating. In a media release, a spokesperson for the office said, “There was contact made between the officers and the affected person.
“The affected person sustained serious injuries and died at the scene. No officers were injured.”
The Independent Investigations Office probes incidents involving police that result in serious injury or death.
News of Degroot’s death comes after police spent five days searching the heavily forested area and its rugged terrain. For Slocan residents, life was returning to normal.
Peter Degroot manhunt sees life returning to normal in Slocan
At the police news conference, Southeast District RCMP Chief Supt. Frank Smart thanked local residents for their patience during the five-day manhunt.
However, Smart would give no more details of the circumstances of Degroot’s death, pending the independent investigation.
“This was a serious incident and we are providing ongoing support to the families of the deceased as well as to the police officers involved,” Smart said.