Independent Investigations Office called in after police shooting in Castlegar

The Independent Investigations Office has been called in after a fatal police shooting in Castlegar, B.C.

The Independent Investigations Office of BC is investigating a fatal police incident on Thursday evening in Castlegar, B.C.

The RCMP says officers were responding to a suspected drunk driving complaint on Highway 3 in the city when a man was shot by officers during an attempted traffic stop.

Mounties say an officer pulled the suspect in his vehicle over. The officer was outside his own vehicle when he shot at the the vehicle.

The man was rushed to hospital in the West Kootenay community, but he did not survive.

The IIO says a team of five Investigators, including a forensic specialist will travel to Castlegar on Friday morning

The vehicle has now been towed and the investigation is still in its infancy.

It is not clear what led to the shooting or if there was any kind of altercation.

"Typically on these types of events," said Ralph Krenz with the IIO, "there'll be an examination of the scene, contacting witnesses, getting as much information from the officers as possible."

Highway 3 in the area was shut down for several hours while investigators documented the scene but has now reopened.

The SUV driver's name and age have not yet been released.

With files from CTV's Nafeesa Karim and Canadian Press