The man wanted for a fatal shooting that took place on Little Pine First Nation has been found dead following a manhunt in the Revelstoke, B.C. area following another shooting incident.
It has been confirmed Sheldon Kyle Thunderblanket's body was found Wednesday following a shooting of a police officer in Golden B.C. the previous evening.
The injured officer had reconstructive surgery done on her hand and arm last night and is recovering, according to a post at the City of Revelstoke Facebook page.
Original reports indicated Thunderblanket had been located by police, but did not indicate the suspect had died.
“RCMP have confirmed the suspect has been located. The search has been discontinued and the RCMP will continue with their investigation. The safety of the community has been restored,” the City of Revelstoke's post read.
However, BC Southeast District RCMP confirmed in an afternoon news release that Thunderblanket was found deceased east of Revelstoke.
According to the RCMP, positive confirmation of identification and the exact cause of death is now the subject of a full investigation by the B.C. Coroner Service. Southeast District RCMP also stated they delayed confirming the information about the deceased in order for the next of kin notifications to be completed, as well as notifications to all partner agencies connected to the case.
An intense search had been underway for Thunderblanket since earlier this week. Cut Knife RCMP responded to a call just before midnight Monday of a firearm being discharged inside a residence on Little Pine First Nation.
Upon arrival, two individuals were found injured inside the residence, with one adult pronounced dead at the scene. The other was transported to hospital with serious injuries.
RCMP called for the public’s help in locating Thunderblanket, who remained at large. While it was initially thought Thunderblanket was still in Saskatchewan, the search ultimately turned to the B.C. interior region.
B.C. RCMP reported Tuesday night that an RCMP police officer was shot near Golden after the RCMP member and other police officers attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be associated with a theft. The Trans-Canada Highway near Golden was shut down in the aftermath of that incident.
According to the City of Revelstoke an intensive manhunt took place in that area, one that included RCMP, SWAT, emergency response, police dogs, police air services, search and rescue, C.P. Police, and Parks Canada, totalling more 65 people searching at all times. There was restricted travel on area highways. Highway 1 was open to only one lane of traffic, and police helicopters conducted an air search in the area.
Eventually the Greely area became the focal point of the search. Thunderblanket's body was located Wednesday east of Revelstoke in the identified search area. According to the RCMP that search area will remain closed to allow for a full evidentiary search to be completed.
According to the RCMP, the B.C. Independent Investigations Office has been notified and will now investigate if there is a connection between Thunderblanket's death and the actions of police.
