'I'm still shocked:' Family reacts to RCMP shooting of man in North Battleford, Sask.

A 22-year-old First Nations man is dead after he was shotby Saskatchewan RCMPon Saturday night.

Police said the incident unfolded in North Battlefordon Saturday just before 9 p.m. CST.

RCMP reported receiving a call from a man, saying he had been chased and shot at from a vehicle.

Officers began investigating and located the suspectedvehicle. RCMP gave chase, but the pursuit ended when police allege the vehicle rammed into a cruiser at the intersection of 15th Avenue and 105th Street.

RCMPsaid shots were fired "in response to the driver's actions," wounding aman inside.

Police say22-year-oldBrydonBryceWhitstoneof Onion Lake Cree Nationdied on the way to the hospital.

Cousin angry at decision to shoot

His cousin Eldon Whitstoneremembers him as a quiet, yet outgoing young man.

"He was a good kid. I'm still shocked at what happened," he told CBC News.

Whitstone said hiscousin had spent time in jail, and had been living inNorth Battlefordbefore his death. He also had a son.

Whitstoneexpressed angerat the policedecision to shoot and said he hopes whoever pulled the trigger faces consequences.

"There's other ways to stop and ... instead of shooting all the time."

Darren Stanley said he was driving around with friends Saturday evening when he witnessed a vehicle speeding by and later watched as a man was loaded into an ambulance.

"I'm not really surprised because this is like a bad city."

External investigation

RCMPChief Superintendent MaureenLevy said the Regina Police Service is now investigating the circumstances surrounding his death, as per RCMPpolicy.

"What I can tell you is that there's going to be a lot of questions surrounding the investigation," she said, explaining that Regina police are now handling the file.

"Our members [involved] are not currently working at this time, they're getting peer-to-peer support and different HR mechanisms and when it's appropriate for them to return to duty they will."

Levy wouldn'tdivulge details onhow many officers were involved,the number of shots fired or if any weapons were recovered.

Saskatchewan's Ministry of Justice will also appoint an independent observer to oversee the investigation.

"Our thoughts are with everyone involved in this incident last night," Drew Wilby, the department's executive director of communications, said Sunday.

Woman in police custody

RCMP say a woman inside the vehicle suffered minor injuries.Shewas taken to hospital, but released into police custody.

One RCMP officer also sustained minor wounds but has been released from hospital.