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RCMP say evacuation during shooting in Quesnel didn't meet threshold
for emergency alert

   Andrew Kurjata
   | CBC News | Posted: April 17, 2026 8:32 PM | Last Updated:
   Just now

   Police force says delays in communication are due to the need
   to protect the integrity of the investigation

   Image | quesnel police incident

   Caption: A photo submitted to CBC News by a resident of the
   Carson subdivision shows an RCMP officer outside a residential
   home in Quesnel, B.C., on Wednesday evening, where a shooting
   took place. (Submitted)
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   RCMP say that although residents were evacuated from their
   homes due to shots fired in Quesnel on Wednesday, the incident
   did not meet the threshold to send out a public alert.
   At least two dozen people were told by police to evacuate their
   homes shortly before 5 p.m. after police responded to reports
   of shots being fired from inside a residence in the Carson
   Subdivision neighbourhood, with at least one round hitting a
   neighbouring property.
     * More stories from Northern B.C.

   During this time, people in the community were left wondering
   what was happening as multiple police units responded from
   Quesnel and Prince George. No official communication about what
   had taken place was issued until Thursday afternoon, and
   several residents questioned why an emergency alert had not
   been sent out to warn them about the situation.
   The City of Quesnel said that while it would be involved in
   sending out an alert it would only do so under the advice of
   the RCMP.
   In a Friday release, Sgt. Kris Clark, a spokesperson for B.C.
   RCMP, said no such alert was required.
   "A public alert requires certain criteria and this event never
   met the threshold," he wrote.
     * Residents question lack of emergency alert during shooting,
       evacuation in Quesnel

   He also said that the detachment commander in Quesnel had
   "responded reactively" to several media inquires as the event
   was unfolding, telling them that shots had been fired and there
   was a heavy police presence in the area.
   However, he acknowledged that this information was not widely
   communicated as the detachment was "otherwise engaged and not
   in a position to respond to everyone."

   Image | Quesnel police

   Caption: (Submitted)
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   The subsequent delay in responding to other media requests or
   issuing a wider press release, Clark said, was because by the
   time he became involved, B.C.'s Independent Investigations
   Office (IIO) had taken over as the lead investigator in the
   case.
   This occurred because police had found the shooter inside the
   residence suffering from serious, apparently self-inflicted
   injuries. The IIO is an independent civilian oversight agency
   that investigates all incidents involving police officers or
   detention guards in B.C. that result in serious harm or death.
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   On Thursday morning, the IIO acknowledged it was involved in
   the case but said it would not be able to release more details,
   which Clark's email further clarified.
   "Despite being the lead agency, the IIO extends us the courtesy
   of issuing the first statement, which requires multiple
   approvals from both agencies," his email said.
   "This process is important as it ensures accuracy of
   information while also maintaining the integrity of their
   investigation. This process takes time, as evidenced by other
   recent assertions and the public notifications that followed.
   While we work as quickly as possible, there are always multiple
   factors that impact the urgency at which the process is
   completed. Priority will always be given to informing the
   community of any ongoing risk to public safety."
   Clark's email concluded by stating, "while I understand the
   public’s interest and the desire to know as much information as
   quickly as possible, rushing to provide that information always
   risks the integrity, transparency and independence of the IIO
   BC investigation."

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