Woman behaving ‘erratically’ on Manitoba’s Highway 1 shot by police

The RCMP logo is seen during a news conference, Saturday, June 24, 2023 in St. John’s, Newfoundland. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

A woman behaving “erratically” on Manitoba’s Highway 1 on Monday night is in hospital after being shot by an RCMP officer.

RCMP was first called to the incident around 9:30 p.m., with witnesses reporting a woman walking in and out of traffic on Highway 1 near Road 88 West.

According to police, when the first officer got to the scene, he found a woman behaving “erratically” and climbing onto vehicles on the highway. Police note the suspect was armed with an edged weapon.

RCMP said the officer made several attempts to de-escalate the situation; however, the woman ignored the officer’s commands and continued her erratic behaviour.

Police allege when the officer approached the woman, she advanced quickly toward him with the edged weapon, resulting in the officer shooting his gun.

The suspect, a 54-year-old woman from the RM of North Cypress Langford, sustained a gunshot wound. She was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

According to RCMP, the officer was wearing a body-worn camera. The video will be given to the Independent Investigation Unit, which has taken over the investigation of the shooting.

RCMP continue to investigate.