B.C.’s police watchdog is looking for anyone who may have witnessed a police take down in Sapperton last week.

The incident began around 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 19 when Vancouver police descended on Richmond Street near East Eighth in search of a kidnapped person who’d been taken during a double homicide in East Vancouver a few days earlier.

article continues below

During the altercation between officers and suspects, two motorists were hit. One of the drivers caught in the melee attempted to take cover from police flash bags but was grabbed by a police dog as he fled. The dog bit him, causing serious injuries, according to a press release from the Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of B.C.

Shortly after the incident, the IIO announced it would investigate the dog bite incident to determine whether “the actions or inactions” of police were contributing factors, noted the release.

Investigators with the office are now asking any witnesses to come forward. Witnesses are asked to contact the IIO at 1-855-446-8477.

Meanwhile, the Vancouver Police Department is continuing its investigation of the homicide and kidnapping that led to the take down in New Westminster.

So far, three people have been arrested and have been charged in connection with the homicides and kidnapping, according to Sgt. Brian Montague, spokesperson for the Vancouver Police Department. Other suspects remain at-large as the police investigation continues.