Police watchdog probes shooting death after attempted arrest in Abbotsford, B.C.

SURREY — British Columbia’s police watchdog has launched an investigation into the death of a suspect in a property crime probe after an officer fired their gun while attempting to make an arrest at a truck stop in Abbotsford, B.C.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. says in a statement that police indicated officers were at the gas station just off Highway 1 late Sunday as part of an existing probe and observed two men believed to be involved in property crime.

It says the two men got into a pickup truck and drove away as police moved to arrest them, with one of the officers firing their gun during the interaction.

There was a brief police chase that was abandoned and at about after 3 a.m. on Monday, the watchdog says RCMP responded to a call about the truck outside a home in nearby Langley, where a man was found dead inside.

Police were still looking for the second man involved in the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the shooting or saw the grey Dodge Ram arrive and park outside the home in Langley is urged to contact the watchdog.

Police say in a separate statement that officers had gone to the truck stop as part of a property crime probe involving someone they describe as a prolific offender.

They say officers saw two men allegedly engaged in criminal activity, but the suspects fled in the truck when police attempted to arrest them.

Police say one of the officers fired their gun during the interaction before the suspects drove away, prompting a chase along Highway 1.

The chase was called off a short time later due to public safety risks stemming from the way the suspect vehicle was travelling, police say.

Police say investigators have confirmed it was the same man and truck involved in the incident at about 11:30 p.m. in Abbotsford.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 27, 2026.

The Canadian Press