Peter de Groot, suspect in shootout in Slocan, B.C., dead

A five-day manhunt in British Columbia's Kootenays region has ended in the death of suspected gunman Peter deGroot following an "interaction" with police in a cabin.

• Peter deGroot named by police as suspected Slocan gunman

De Groot, 45,allegedly fired on policenear the small community ofSlocan after they showed up to investigate a dispute between two peoplepossibly over the condition of animals he was keeping.

When police returned fire, deGrootfled into the woods, prompting officers tolock downthe village and evacuate schools and homes.

At a news conference Monday night, police said an emergency response team found the suspected gunman around 1.20 p.m. PTin a cabin near a gravel pit in the area.

''There was an interaction between the subject of the ongoing search and the two emergency response team members," RCMP Supt. Frank Smart said in a statement. "We can confirm the subject is now deceased.''

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is now investigating.TheIndependent Investigations Office probes incidents involving police that result in serious injury or death.

News of deGroot'sdeath comes after police spent five days searchingthe heavilyforested area and its rugged terrain. For Slocan residents, life was returning to normal.

• Peter deGroot manhunt sees life returning to normal in Slocan

At the police news conference, the RCMP's Smart thanked local residents for their patience during the five-day manhunt.

However, Smart would give no moredetails of the circumstances of deGroot's death, pending the independentinvestigation.

"This was a serious incident and we are providing ongoing support to the families of the deceased as well as to the police officers involved," Smart said.