RCMP search for armed suspect after hotel altercation sends officer to hospital

RCMP are looking for a suspect after a confrontation at a Kamloopshotel sent an officer to hospital on Saturday.

The incident began when an officer noticed a suspicious-looking group in the parking lot of the Tournament Inn at 5:20 p.m.He approached to investigate, which led to an attempt to arrest a male suspect.

In a statement, police said theman struggled with the officer and pulled a gun. RCMPsaid the officer grabbed his own pistol and shots were fired.

KamloopsRCMP have now finished their investigation of the scene and say they now believe the suspect did not shoot at the officer.

"We determined that while our suspect did produce a firearm and hethreatened to shoot the police officer, he did not fire his firearm," said Cpl. Jodi Shelkie with the KamloopsRCMP.

After shots were fired, police say thesuspect ran from the scene. Hehasn'tbeen located.

On Sunday, RCMPidentified the suspect as Michael Shawn Boyer. The 41-year-old Kamloops man is described as Caucasian, 6'1", 180 pounds with a buzz-cut brown hair.

Family speaks out

On Sunday, a member of Boyer's family reached out to media andurgedhim to turn himself in.

Boyer is known to police and considered armed and dangerous. RCMP didn't say if he was shot and they're not sure if he ran away or if he's inside the inn.

Cpl. Jodi Shelkie said officers have a perimeter set up around the hotel and are searching for Boyer. The public is asked to avoid the area around the inn.

She said this incident hasn't been linked to a series of other violent events that have unfolded recently in the community.

Shelkie said the officer who first approached the groupwasn'tshot, but didsuffera non-life threatening injury in the struggle. He was treated in hospitaland has since been released.

Anyone who sees Boyershould keep their distance and call 911. Those with information about the incident should call Kamloops RCMP at (250) 828-3000.