Canadian border agent shot, Peace Arch crossing closed

The Peace Arch border crossing between Washington and Canada remains closed after a gunman shot and seriously wounded a female Canadian border officer Tuesday afternoon.

Cpl. Bert Paquet with the Surrey RCMP said at a news conference a man driving a white van with Washington plates, entering Canada from Washington just after 2 p.m., shot the officer in her booth while at the crossing.

Paquet said the man then shot himself and died at the scene.

The officer was shot in the neck, said Paquet. She was airlifted to Royal Columbian Hospital, and she is now reported in stable condition.

Investigators are trying to determine a motive. They could not confirm if the suspect and victim knew each other.

Kevin McAllister, assistant general manager at the Peace Portal Golf Course, which is adjacent to the border crossing, said an employee and several guests told him they heard shots fired at around 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Paquet said Canadian officials were sharing information with U.S. authorities. “This is a very serious incident that occurred right on the border line,” he said.

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said she spoke to British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and pledged the state’s cooperation and help in the investigation.

“This tragedy hits especially close to home, and reminds us all that our public safety officers put their lives on the line every day to protect the rest of us,” Gregoire said.

Her remarks were echoed by the president of the Canada Border Services Agency.

“This is a profound reminder of the risks that border services officers assume every day,” Luc Portelance said in a statement from Ottawa. “I know that the courage and dedication of our officers are second to none.”

The Peace Arch crossing remains closed “for the foreseeable future.” Traffic is being diverted to the crossing at SR-543.

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