Man found dead after Abbotsford police shooting and Highway 1 pursuit

ABBOTSFORD — A man was found dead in Langley early Monday (July 27) after an alleged property crime led to a vehicle chase and a shot being fired by an Abbotsford police officer.

Abbotsford Police Department patrol officers were investigating a report of a property crime in progress at the Petro-Pass Truck Stop at 30586 Matsqui Place at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. It involved what police described as a prolific offender.

Police allege officers observed two men, including the subject of the investigation, engaged in criminal activity. As officers moved in to make arrests, the suspects attempted to flee in a Dodge Ram pickup truck.

During the interaction, one Abbotsford police officer discharged a firearm. The suspects then fled the scene.

Police authorized a pursuit as the truck travelled westbound on Highway 1 from Mt. Lehman Road. The pursuit ended a short time later because of concerns associated public safety risks. The vehicle was last seen travelling into Langley.

At about 3:12 a.m. Monday, a resident in the 27200 block of 30th Avenue in Langley returned home and discovered a suspicious pickup truck parked in the driveway with a man inside.

Langley RCMP and first responders attended and found the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

While investigators confirm the truck and the deceased man were involved in the earlier incident in Abbotsford, the second suspect remains on the loose.

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of British Columbia has been notified and is investigating the incident.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident at Matsqui Place, saw the suspect vehicle during the pursuit or has information about the outstanding suspect to contact the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225. The IIO is also asking witnesses to contact their investigators to pass along information.