Suspect in Mountie shooting ‘found dead’ near Revelstoke

The subject of an intense manhunt over the past day was found dead on Wednesday morning near Revelstoke, police are now reporting.

In a media release sent out late Wednesday afternoon, Cpl. Dan Moskaluk confirmed that Thunderblanket was found deceased near Revelstoke.

“A positive confirmation of identification and the exact cause of death is now the subject of a full investigation by the BC Coroner Service,” Moskaluk said. “The deceased was located within the identified search area east of Revelstoke. The area will remain closed to allow for a full evidentiary search to be completed.”

Moskaluk said the delay in “confirming this information” was to “ensure that next of kin notifications had been completed, as well as notifications to all the partner agencies who have a connection or interest in this case.”

Moskaluk said the Southeast District Major Crime Unit was leading a concurring investigation, and confirmed that the Independent investigations Office of B.C. (IIO), an independent police watchdog, has been called in to investigate the incident.

As reported first by the Mountaineer, the watchdog IIO issued a release on the situation, also late Wednesday.

The investigator said that in addition to the shooting incident that left an RCMP officer with injuries to her arm and hand on Oct. 11, there was another “interaction” with police later that day near Revelstoke.

“A further interaction later occurred between police and the male in the vicinity of Revelstoke, where he fled from police,” the IIO said in a brief statement.

“The initial focus of the IIO investigation is to determine if there is a connection between the male’s death and actions of police.”

The IIO said they will not be providing any information about the deceased and that confirmation of the identity and the cause of death is the responsibility of the B.C. Coroners Service.

Any potential witnesses to these incidents are asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.