UPDATE (9:00 A.M.)

The Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) is investigating the death of a male following an officer-involved shooting in the Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Westlake-Gladstone, near the community of Wastbourne.

On December 15, 2021, the RCMP advised the IIU of this incident that occurred at 8:50 a.m. According to this notification, police responded to a call for service regarding an individual who had been stabbed in the community of Westbourne. Officers immediately responded, conducted patrols in the area and encountered the male suspect. There was a confrontation resulting in the male suspect being shot. He was pronounced deceased a short time later.

A team of IIU investigators was deployed to the scene and the investigation commenced. Since this matter involves a fatality, a request for a civilian monitor has been made to the Manitoba Police Commission.

Witnesses or other individuals who have information or video footage that may assist this investigation are asked to contact the IIU toll free at 1-844-667-6060.

The investigation is ongoing, so no further details will be provided at this time.

UPDATE (5:47 p.m.)

On December 15, 2021, at approximately 8:50 am, Manitoba RCMP officers responded to a report of a stabbing located off of Highway 16, in Westbourne, Manitoba.

The preliminary investigation has determined that a male driver, along with a female passenger, picked up a male hitchhiker on Highway 16 in the RM of Westlake-Gladstone. After being picked up, the hitchhiker reportedly attacked the driver without provocation. The driver, who had been stabbed, was able to pull over to the side of the road.  The suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

Numerous officers from Portage la Prairie, Amaranth and Neepawa detachments, along with Police Dog Services, immediately responded to the area.

A short time later, a call was received about a suspicious male attempting to enter into vehicles at the junction of Highway 16 and Highway 50. Officers attended and located the male suspect who was observed to be carrying an edged weapon.

There was a confrontation between the suspect and the responding officers. An officer-involved shooting occurred and the suspect was struck.

Officers immediately provided first-aid until local Emergency Medical Services arrived. The suspect, however, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. No information about the deceased male is being released at this time as positive identification is pending and next of kin notification has yet to be completed.

An edged weapon was recovered from the scene.

The male victim is currently in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) has been notified and are taking carriage of the officer-involved shooting investigation. Manitoba RCMP continue to investigate the stabbing incident.

Original Story:

RCMP vehicles raced through Portage la Prairie westward this morning toward Westbourne to an abandoned gas station on Hwy 16, and the intersection of Hwy 16 and Hwy 50.

The scene was cordoned off at the gas station with two RCMP vehicles present throughout the afternoon and several cars with an investigation unit were at the intersection of the highways. A stabbing occurred after a driver picked up a hitchhiker, and the hitchhiker attacked the driver.

 

Scene at gas station

Stay posted for updates.

Prvious tweet from RCMP: