A bit of excitement in our area...
Two people wanted in a murder investigation tried to cross over into Canada early this afternoon. They tried first at the Sumas/Huntington crossing (this is the one we use -- it is about 20 minutes from our house). For some reason, they didn't get through so they drove the 40 minutes or so to the Peace Arch crossing where they were stopped and shots were fired.
Here is the
Vancouver Sun:
Shooting closes B.C. border crossing
U.S. authorities closed the border at Blaine, Wash., on Tuesday after an exchange of gunfire on the American side between border guards, police and two murder suspects from California.
Police in the United States had been in pursuit of the two men when they got to the border crossing, about a 45-minute drive south of Vancouver.
"Apparently there was a collision involved and the suspects exited the vehicle," said Trooper Bob Wilson of the Washington State Patrol. "I don't know who shot first. There was shots fired between U.S. Customs, Whatcom County Sheriff and the two male suspects."
One of the men was wounded, but the extent of his injuries was not known. Both men were in police custody.
Sheriff's deputies pursued the two men based on a description issued by police in Richland, Calif.
Washington's Transportation Department said traffic was diverted to the Pacific Highway crossing at the border between Washington state and British Columbia. The department said it started diverting traffic on I-5 northbound at about 2:30 p.m.
Wilson said it could take hours for the border to be reopened.
Seattle television station KOMO
has a bit too:
Border Closed After Chase, Shooting
One person was shot after a brief car chase that ended at the Canadian border, sheriff's deputies said Tuesday.
The Peace Arch border crossing was closed after the 2 p.m. incident.
Whatcom County sheriffs' deputies received a tip that two people wanted in a California murder investigation may have been headed to the area, sheriff's spokesman Jeff Parks told Bellingham radio station KGMI. Shots were fired as two people were arrested, and Sheriff Bill Elfo said one person was wounded.
No mention on the
KGMI website and the
Bellingham Herald has only a minimal mention.
A lot of people cross the border for work and there is an entire WA State community (
Point Roberts) that is isolated from the US and you need to pass through the Peace Arch crossing to get there. This is going to be one slow rush hour...
Posted by DaveH at January 24, 2006 4:04 PM