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The IIO confirmed that three of its investigators were dispatched to the scene with more to follow.

Ron MacDonald, chief civilian director of the IIO, said it was his understanding that B.C. Ferries staff had arranged things in such a way that the suspect vehicle was one of the last ones to leave the ferry.

“But in terms of the details of the exact interaction between the police and the individual and how many shots were fired and that type of thing, we don’t have those details at this point.”

Photo by JON MURRAY / PROVINCE

MacDonald said investigators will be trying to interview as many witnesses as possible. Any potential witnesses are asked to call the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.

“We will be attempting to gather, in addition to the forensic evidence from the scene, any video evidence that may be present,” he said.

Police tape surrounded the exit lanes of the ferry terminal on Tuesday afternoon.

A grey hatchback, facing the wrong way in the lanes, was surrounded on three sides by a white cube van, two black vans and a black pickup truck.

Yellow evidence markers were placed along the lanes and a blue tarp was hung up on the fence opposite the vehicles.

The RCMP said it will release no further information and asked witnesses to contact the independent investigations office.

B.C. Coroners Service spokesman Andy Watson confirmed the coroner is investigating a fatality and referred further questions to the IIO.

Jon Athey, 70, said he was in the short-term parking lot at the terminal when heard a loud bang.

He looked over and saw what he believes was a police vehicle hit a grey car in the lanes exiting the ferry. The car spun around and was hit by a second police vehicle, he said. Athey said he then saw what he believed were police officers firing multiple shots.

”It happened so fast,” he said. “It was just like a movie and it was over in just a flash.”

Frank Leonard, chairman of the Agricultural Land Commission, was waiting to board the 10:40 a.m. sailing when he heard what sounded like a truck backfiring and then six to eight gunshots.

The incident happened at about 10:15 a.m. in the lanes exiting the ferry, Leonard said.

A B.C. Ferries announcement asked people to remain in their cars. Leonard admits he did get out of his car and walked back to see what was going on. His view was blocked by a fence but Leonard saw a cluster of police vehicles and men in plainclothes jogging over to the area.

“There was no noise at all, total silence coming from that area,” Leonard said.

Five minutes later, a few ambulances arrived.

“I saw a stretcher come out of the ambulance but I didn’t see anyone go back in,” he said.

B.C. Ferries staff stopped vehicles from unloading and redirected them to exit via the arrivals lanes.

Click here to read more stories from The Victoria Times Colonist.

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