A longtime former Flin Flon area resident has perished in Thompson after a Mountie opened fire on a vehicle that allegedly struck the officer.
While police did not identify the name of the deceased, sources confirm he was Steven D. Campbell, 39, of Thompson.
RCMP report that on Saturday, Nov. 21, at about 2 am, an officer attempted to complete a traffic stop in Thompson after noticing an erratic driver.
“After a brief pursuit, the vehicle was stopped and the officer approached it,” read a press release from the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU), which is probing the incident. “The vehicle then accelerated and struck the officer. The officer discharged his firearm. As a result, the male driver of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
An adult female passenger in the vehicle sustained serious injuries and was transferred to a Winnipeg hospital, according to the IIU.
A second adult female passenger sustained minor injuries unrelated to the discharge of the firearm and was released from hospital following treatment, the IIU said.
Two other passengers in the vehicle were not injured.
The RCMP officer sustained minor injuries before being released from hospital, the IIU said.
The IIU released no further details as the investigation continued Monday.
The IIU investigates all serious incidents involving police officers in Manitoba, occurring on or off duty.
Since this investigation involves a fatality, the IIU said it would request the appointment of a civilian monitor from the Manitoba Police Commission.
A memorial service for Campbell, a father of two, is scheduled for Friday in Thompson.
