Prince George, B.C.- RCMP have released the name of the man shot by police Saturday  in Gitanaax.

 

The deceased is 35 year old Rodney Shane Jackson.

 

According to the RCMP. Jackson had been wanted by police for a year and was believed to have been in the Smithers and New Hazelton areas in the past.  There were 5 unendorsed criminal code warrants outstanding for his arrest and one family court warrant as of Sept 26, 2009. The warrants included charges of violence in relationship assault, uttering threats, obstructing a peace officer, trafficking of controlled substances, failure to attend court, and a family court matter.

 

Police believe Jackson had been living in several different locations, including remote wilderness camps in order to evade police. The Smithers and New Hazelton RCMP had previously issued  media releases seeking public assistance in locating Jackson on the outstanding warrants and the public had been made aware that Jackson was considered violent.

 

The RCMP say that as a result of the previous media releases, the New Hazelton RCMP had, on several occasions, received information that Jackson had been seen in the community of Gitanaax.  On more that one occasion RCMP members attended immediately and located Jackson, however he was able to flee and avoid apprehension.

 

RCMP say they received further information which lead to Saturday’s attempt to arrest Jackson. Members of the North District Emergency Response Team (ERT) and Police Dog Service (PDS) set a perimeter around a remote wooded area and cabins early Saturday morning in the community of Gitanaax.   According to police, Rodney Jackson and a second adult man, were located by the arrest team and both men were armed with long guns.

 

Police say Rodney Shane Jackson was shot by one of the arresting officers while the second male was taken into custody uninjured.

 

Jackson was transported from the immediate scene by RCMP to receive medical attention and brought to the New Hazelton hospital where he was pronounced dead.

 

The investigation into this shooting is being conducted by E Division Major Crimes Unit and will be lead by an Inspector from the Delta Police department. A member of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP Independent  Observer program is on the scene to provide civilian oversight into the investigation.

 

Police have not said what charges, if any, the second man may be facing.