Man shot by RCMP officer in B.C. detachment cells booking area

B.C.'s police watchdog has been called in to investigate after a Prince George RCMPofficer shot a man in custody during an altercationin the booking area of the city's detachment cells Monday morning.

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. said the man was seriously injured with "gunshot-related injuries"while police were preparing to lodge him in the cells.

A written statement signed byCpl. Jennifer Cooper, the media relations officerfor thePrince George RCMP, said that a "physical altercation occurred during which bear spray was discharged, and a police officer discharged their service pistol."

RCMP saidthe officer suffered minor injuries.

B.C. Emergency Health Services said it dispatched two paramedic ground units and a supervisor to the RCMP detachment before noonand transported one patient to hospital.

Police said the man had beenarrested after reports of a theft in downtown Prince George, about 10 blocks from the detachment.

RCMP saidthe suspectwas carrying a gun and had an outstanding arrest warrant when he was stopped by police andtaken to city cells to be booked in.