PRINCE GEORGE

Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Last updated on May 31, 2025 at 6:31 am.

The Prince George RCMP is advising the public that charges have been approved by the B.C. Prosecution Service in the investigation relating to an incident that shut down Highway 16 East for several hours on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

The incident began around 7:30 p.m. when police officers conducting proactive patrols near East Perry Road attempted a traffic stop with a motor vehicle. The driver, later identified as 39-year-old Tyler Cavan SUEL of Prince George, shot at police from his vehicle before fleeing the area.

SUEL was located a short time later and, after a lengthy standoff wherein more gunfire was exchanged from both sides, was arrested by police. He was transported to hospital for treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries and later held in police custody until he could attend court. He remains in custody, awaiting a bail hearing. 

SUEL has been charged with the following offenses:

• Discharge firearm with intent (4 counts)
• Pointing a firearm
• Careless use of a firearm
• Possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle
• Possession of a weapon
• Flight from peace officer while pursued

We are incredibly proud of the professional, coordinated and timely response our police officers had to this threatening and dynamic event. Even in the face of being shot at, all of those who responded to the call maintained their professionalism and saw the event through to a positive conclusion, states Inspector Chris Riddle, Operations Officer for the Prince George RCMP Detachment.

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A serious incident east of Prince George Tuesday evening has left a suspect with serious injuries…

The incident began just before 7:30 PM, as RCMP along with the CFSEU Team were conducting patrols on East Perry Road, located in the Ferndale area, east of Prince George off Highway 16.

Police attempted to stop a vehicle of interest when the driver of the dark coloured Volvo got out and shot at the officers and fled. No members were injured. Officers then followed the suspect vehicle onto a forest service road where an interaction occurred between the suspect and police.

The interaction according to the IIO, who are investigating this file, was that there was an exchange of gunfire between the suspect and officers on the service road. The male suspect was shot and suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries according to both RCMP and the IIO in their releases to the media.

Police say in their release that the suspect returned to his vehicle after the interaction concluded and was arrested. The suspect was given first-aid by officers and then taken to UHNBC in Prince George for further treatment. No body else was injured.

The IIO BC is investigating police actions into the incident. As the matter is now under investigation by the IIO BC, no further information will be released by police.

The Prince George RCMP Serious Crime Unit has conduct of the parallel investigation with respect to the driver’s actions.