Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc's grand chief says he is praying for one of their citizens who was shot by an RCMP officer.

On Monday afternoon, an RCMP officer was at a home on Princeton Drive, Thompson, at around 2:45 p.m. serving legal documents. RCMP Manitoba says they encountered a 30-year-old man with a knife. A video circulating online, taken by a bystander, shows the suspect walking towards the officer. The officer, walking backwards, then shot the man. The video shows the man continuing to walk towards the officer after being shot.

“I am extremely concerned to see the video of an MKO citizen who appears to have been shot by an RCMP officer today in Thompson, Manitoba. The video that is circulating is extremely disturbing," MKO Grand Chief Garrison Settee says in a statement Monday. "On behalf of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, I want to let the family and loved ones of this person know that our prayers and thoughts are with you at this time."

The victim was brought to the hospital with serious injuries. He remains in the hospital in stable condition.

Settee says he is expecting a full report Tuesday from RCMP about what happened. 

"We are praying that the young person involved in this incident will survive and receive the support needed to heal from this.”

Manitoba's Independent Investigation Unit (IIU) has taken over the investigation. 

"As any injury caused by the discharge of a firearm by a police officer is defined as a serious injury, the IIU is mandated to investigate," IIU's statement says.

Those with information or video footage are being asked to call the Independent Investigation Unit at  1-844-667-6060.

 

Written by Mike Thom and Taylor Brock