Abbotsford police officer killed in shootout - Update

The Peacearch News is reporting that "Abbotsford Police have confirmed that one officer died and one is injured following a shooting this afternoon in the area of Mt. Lehman Road and Fraser Highway. The incident began at about noon at a strip mall north of Highstreet Shopping Centre."

One witness "said the suspect’s vehicle slammed into the back of the car behind her. She then saw police officers converge and, she says, they began to shoot at the suspect’s car. As she laid down in her car, Dauncey heard rounds of gunshots."

This is unprecedented. Gang members here always shoot each other not at the police. Likewise, I've never heard of the police opening fire on a vehicle in the middle of traffic. Something just isn't right. Tragic an officer lost his life over it. It's fortunate civilians weren't killed in all that confusion.

Global is reporting that a witness claims the suspect had a rifle. The picture shows it.



The Vancouver Province is reporting the timetable of events:

"Monday’s incident started with a call to police at 11:35 a.m. about a possible stolen vehicle in the parking lot of a strip mall in the 3200-block Mount Lehman Road. The vehicle, a 2016 Ford Mustang, had been stolen from the nearby MSA Ford dealership on Saturday during a test drive. The car was spotted by dealership employees, who contacted police and boxed the car in as they waited for police. The driver returned to the car carrying a shotgun and began shooting at the employees and bystanders."

"Less than 20 minutes after the first call to police, several 911 calls poured in reporting shots fired. Police arrived and exchanged gunfire with the man, and Davidson was shot. He was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The suspect was pursued by police and arrested after a collision at the intersection of Mt. Lehman Road and Fraser Highway. The man, in his mid 60s, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and remains in custody." Absolutely bizarre. All over a stolen car. Tragic.

Obviously there are good cops and bad cops just like everywhere else. By the sounds of it, this was a good cop who cared. The bottom line is that he did die protecting the public.

Eulogy for John Davidson