UPDATE 12:22 03/04/13 This morning at 4:30 am the suspect involved in the April 2 shooting incident with US Border Patrol agents was arrested by members of the Abbotsford Police Department’s Emergency Response Team and Patrol Division. The man was located in a residence in Abbotsford. He is an individual who is known to police and has been a resident of the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland in recent years.
The Abbotsford Police Department would like to thank the residents of Sumas Prairie for their patience and assistance throughout the investigation of this serious incident. We also would like to thank the RCMP, Air 1 Police Helicopter, US Border Patrol, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department, Washington State Patrol, Bellingham Police Department, Sumas Police Department, CBP Office of Air and Marine and Immigration Customs and Enforcement/Homeland Security Investigations for the support they provided.
The successful resolution to this incident could not have occurred without excellent communication and coordination of law enforcement efforts on both sides of the border.
11:17 03/04/13 The search for a border jumper which started yesterday after a shooting at the Abbotsford border crossing is over after the man being sought has been arrested both CBC and News 1130 are reporting.
According to News 1130, “After searching for over 24 hours, police have arrested a man suspected of shooting at US border guards near Abbotsford yesterday.
“Another suspect was arrested shortly after the incident..
“Both men were spotted in a rural area east of Sumas wearing camouflage and carrying backpacks. One of them opened fire when approached by US Customs and Immigration officers.”
APD Holding Press Conference To Update Border Jumper Situation
10:05 03/04/13
At 12:00 noon today the Abbotsford Police Department will be issuing a news release and holding a press conference to update the situation.
School Lockdown Lifted, Police Search Door To Door For Border Jumper
15:29 02/04/13
The lockdown of Upper Sumas Elementary School has been lifted and the Abbotsford Police department (APD) is now going-to-door to door in search of the man involved in this morning’s border shooting. Road blocks are coming down it has been reported.
Breaking News: Upper Sumas Elementary In Lockdown While Police Search For Border Jumper
!2:19 02/02/13
The Abbotsford School District announced that, “As of approximately 10:15 this morning (April 2), Upper Sumas Elementary school went into lockdown, while the Abbotsford Police Department and Canadian Border Services Agency conduct a search and investigation near the border in the Arnold area, a few kilometres from the school.
“A police officer is stationed at the school currently as a precaution; parents/guardians are asked to respect the lockdown conditions and not attempt to access the school at this time.”
According to CTV News “Abbotsford Police were called in to assist U.S. border officials Tuesday morning after gunfire was exchanged on the U.S. side of the Sumas Crossing.”
The Abbotsford News is reporting, “Police are searching an area of Sumas Prairie and the northern slopes of Vedder Mountain, between Marion Road and the Vye Road power station, following reports of shots being fired by a border jumper.”