The Nuu-chah-nulth tribal council is calling on the province and BC RCMP to revamp police officers de-escalation training, increase cultural training and address racism after a police-involved shooting in Ucluelet.
Officers from Ucluelet RCMP were called to a report of a disturbance and a man needing medical assistance at a residence in Port Albion around 5:12 p.m. on May 8.
Upon entering the home, officers found a woman with a weapon, according to RCMP. Police officers fired shots and the woman suffered gunshot wounds. She was transported to hospital by BC Emergency Health Services, police said. The man was also transported to hospital for treatment.
“The impact of these shootings in our Nuu-chah-nulth communities is devastating. People are horrified after hearing gun shots fired in their communities, a place we all have the right to feel safe,” said Mariah Charleson, vice president of the Nuu-chah-nulth in a news release.
“When the RCMP, who are meant to protect us, are the ones shooting us, we are in real trouble. We need to end this violent epidemic of police violence.”
The Nuu-chah-nulth said it is “shocked and appalled” at the shooting, which happened only two months after an Indigenous man was fatally shot by police on the Opitsaht reserve.
“We cannot afford another loss in our communities at the hands of RCMP officers. While we are working with RCMP to try and resolve these issues, we must act quicker and ensure the cooperation of the RCMP to make changes,” said Judith Sayers, Nuu-chah-nulth tribal council president.
The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) is investigating the shooting and the initial incident is being investigated by Island District General Investigative Services, in assistance to Ucluelet RCMP.
No further information will be released by police, as the incident is under investigation.
