Suspect charged with attempted murder in Kamloops RCMP shooting

Kenneth Michael Knutson has a long criminal record dating back to the 1990s and spanning much of Metro Vancouver. (Instagram)

Charges have been laid against a 36-year-old man accused of opening fire on a Kamloops Mountie early Wednesday morning, leaving the officer in critical condition.

Kenneth Michael Knutson is charged with attempted murder using a firearm, aggravated assault of a peace officer, possession of a firearm while prohibited, and discharging a firearm with intent to wound, maim, disfigure or endanger life.

He has been remanded in custody pending a court appearance in two weeks.

Court records reveal Knutson has a long criminal history dating back to the 1990s, including a slew of convictions for everything from assaulting a peace officer to failure to stop at the scene of an accident.

One of his most serious crimes was committed in 2002, when Knutson shot a man to death in a Coquitlam basement suite. He was sentenced to one year in jail.

The RCMP has also revealed three women were arrested following the shooting in Kamloops Wednesday, but it’s unclear whether they will face charges. One of them was wanted on outstanding warrants.

Mounties said the wounded officer, 40-year-old Cpl. Jean Rene Michaud, is still in hospital in critical but stable condition.

“The incredible amount of support being offered to Kamloops RCMP and [Cpl. Michaud’s] family is both overwhelming and heartwarming,” Cpl. Cheryl Bush said in a statement.

Michaud was shot during a traffic stop around 2:45 a.m. Wednesday. Another officer rushed to the scene and returned fire, hitting a suspect in the arm.

The Independent Investigations Office, B.C.’s police watchdog tasked with probing serious and deadly uses of police force, was called to the area but said it will not be proceeding with an investigation.

The IIO said the suspect’s injuries weren’t serious enough to warrant its involvement.