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Vancouver police had been called to the scene at 3444 E Hastings Street to deal with the fire, Whatcott said the officer was visibly startled when she spotted the suspect.

“She was not expecting that. She was just expecting a little traffic control in the parking lot,” said Whatcott. “She wasn’t there to deal with him.”

Photo by Bill Whatcott / Vancouver Sun

“She pulls the gun and I just happened to have my phone out. She commanded him to stop and drop the knife. When you look at his face (in the photo) you can see he is meaning to do damage,” he said. “I’ve been shooting guns for 15 years but it still shocked me when she discharged her firearm, just how loud it was. He dropped instantly like a sack of potatoes.”

Photo by Bill Whatcott / PNG

Whatcott, who trained as a correctional officer, doesn’t believe the officer was aiming for his leg.

“You are always supposed to shoot in the stomach, or the trunk (area) … but you can see how stressed she is. I understand how you can shoot at what you think is his trunk and it winds up in the leg because she’s shaking and that’s a big gun,” he said. “It’s lucky for him.”

Vancouver police Const. Brian Montague says police have recommended charges of assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose against the suspect, who remains in hospital.

The officer involved in the shooting is taking time off but is “doing well,” Montague said,

Whatcott handed over copies of his photos to the VPD to use as evidence.

Photo by Bill Whatcott / Vancouver Sun

“You can also see his dog in the background in one of the photos … I’m glad she didn’t miss and hit the dog. It was a really nice dog. After he was shot and taken to the ambulance, the dog came up to me and wanted me to pet it,” Whatcott said. “I wish I got a picture of that.”

sbrown@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/Browniescott