Update: Police Release More Details About Shooting Outside Mall

Jan 25, 2019 | 5:45 PM

RCMP in Kelowna have released more details about a police-involved shooting outside the Orchard Park Mall on Wednesday.

Mounties say they were arresting a road rage suspect that involved an alleged assault with pepper spray from the day before.

“That motorist and his passenger, who locked their doors and rolled up their windows, managed to escape with minor injuries only related to the slight exposure to the chemical spray,” says Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.

O’Donaghey says the next day, January 23, Kelowna RCMP plain clothes officers sought the added support of the Southeast District Emergency Response Team to arrest the suspect, who was taken into custody outside a financial institution (CIBC) in the 2100 block of Harvey Avenue.

30 year old John Michael Aronson of Kelowna has now been formally charged with 7 counts, including assault, weapons offences, theft of a motor vehicle, and dangerous driving.

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Aronson has been remanded into custody awaiting his first Court appearance.

The Independent Investigation Office of BC is continuing their investigation to determine whether police actions or inactions are linked to the man’s injuries that occurred during the arrest.

Jan. 24

We could learn more today about what happened outside Kelowna’s Orchard Park Mall.

The Independent Investigation Office was called in after a police-involved shooting Wednesday afternoon.

One man — who was known to police — was shot and was taken to hospital for treatment of non life threatening injuries.

While the incident occurred near the CIBC bank, police say the arrest is not related to an offence at the bank.

Witnesses say one person was seen on the ground surrounded by RCMP in tactical gear.

RCMP issued the following news release on the incident:

RCMP have notified the Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) of an incident which resulted in one man being taken to hospital earlier today in Kelowna.

Just after 3:00 p.m. this afternoon, January 23, Plain Clothes Kelowna RCMP officers and officers from the Southeast District Emergency Response Team attempted to conduct the arrest of man known to police near Cooper Road and Harvey Avenue in Kelowna.

Shots were fired by police. The man has been transported to hospital with undetermined injuries, that are believed to be non-life threatening.

While the incident occurred near a banking institution, the arrest is not related to an offence at the bank.

The Kelowna RCMP are investigating the incidents that led to the need for the arrest.

The area will remain cordoned off for a period of time and inaccessible.

The public are asked to enter the shopping centre using the Springfield Road, Dilworth Drive or the southeast Cooper Road entrances.

The IIO BC is now investigating to determine whether police actions or inactions are linked to the man’s injuries. As the matter is now under
investigation by the IIO BC, no further information will be released by police.

Please note that all aspects and circumstances of this incident will be the subject of independent investigation and verification by the IIO BC.

For more information about the IIO BC and media updates, you can visit their website at www.iiobc.ca

by Corey Fischer