Driver found injured after gunfire during RCMP traffic stop on Highway 101

Nova Scotia's Serious Incident Response Team will only say that an "incident" took place between the police officer and the driver while the vehicle was stopped and a firearm was discharged.

Nova Scotia's police watchdog investigating after RCMP say gun was fired on exit 15 on-ramp

Susan Bradley CBC News Posted: Dec 11, 2018 6:29 AM EST | Last Updated: December 11, 2018

RCMP vehicles and officers are shown Tuesday morning on Parker Condon Road, which runs parallel to Highway 101 in the Berwick area. Police teams were searching for a driver who fled a police traffic stop at exit 15 after a gun was discharged. (Paul Palmeter/CBC)

Nova Scotia's police watchdog waslooking to speak with witnesses Tuesday after gunfire erupted during an early morning traffic stop on Highway 101, sending the driver of the vehicle fleeing into the woods.

The vehicle was pulled over by RCMPonthe exit 15 on-ramp around 4 a.m., but few details have been released regardingwhat happened next.

The Serious Incident Response Team will only say that an "incident" took place between the police officer and thedriver while the vehicle was stopped and a firearm was discharged.

The driverfled on foot into nearby woods.

A 26-year-old man was later foundby police and taken to hospital fortreatment ofa non-life-threatening injury. He remains inpolice custody, said SIRT.

Traffic was backed up on Highway 101 following the incident. (Paul Palmeter/CBC)

RCMP say the man is expected to appear in Kentville provincial court. They have not said what charges are being laid.

They have also not disclosed who fired the weapon, nor have they said if the manor a20-year-old passenger who remained in the vehicle and was arrestedare known to police.

The police officerinvolved in the incident called for backup but was not injured, said RCMP.

Police shut down Highway 101 between exits 15 and 16. Emergency response teams, police dogs and a helicopter were used in the search for the driver.

The RCMP forensic identification team was on the scene on Highway 101. (Paul Palmeter/CBC)

The closure of the highway snarled traffic during the commuter rush hour, and the road was expected to be closed for most of the day.Vehicles were rerouted to Highway 1.

RCMP also advised Somerset and District Elementary School to cancel classes for the day.

One resident of Parker Condon Road, which runs parallel to Highway 101 in the Berwick area,told CBC News she got a call from RCMP telling her to lock her doors at around 5:30 a.m. She said she hadn't heard an update from RCMP since then, and felt nervous and upset.

#RCMPNS There is no risk to the public regarding the situation near Hwy 101 between Exits 15 and 16
—@RCMPNS

SIRTwas contacted by RCMP just before 7 a.m. andhas investigators on the ground.

"The situation is still very fluid,"SIRTdirectorFelixCacchionesaid in an interviewshortly before noon.

"It arose from a motor vehicle stop. What happened from there, I'm not sure."

SIRTis looking to speak with witnesses. Investigators can be reached at1-855-450-2010.

Nova Scotia RCMP closed Highway 101 at between exits 15 and 16 in Berwick on Tuesday morning. Traffic was being diverted to Highway 1. (Paul Palmeter/CBC)

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