Police say a man from Fort St. John has been charged with five counts of attempted murder after a shooting in Merritt on Sunday.

Just before 4 p.m. on Sunday, Merritt RCMP had tried to stop a Ford F350 with a flat deck trailer that was believed to be stolen, but the driver fled the scene. Police later said it had been stolen in Lytton a day earlier.

The truck was spotted again about 90 minutes later, and after using a spike belt, police were able to stop the truck at Highway 8 and Highway 97C.

Mounties say during the event, “shots were exchanged” between police and at least one occupant of the vehicle. The scene ended with two occupants of the truck – an adult man and a child – being shot, and taken to hospital with “serious” injuries.

Today, Mounties say 46-year-old Gerald Cooper faces five counts of attempted murder with a firearm, as well as one count of flight from police. Cooper has a court date in Kamloops tomorrow.

The Independent Investigations Office is also investigating the incident. The IIO is called to all incidents involving police where someone is seriously hurt or killed, to determine whether potential wrongdoing by police may have been involved.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet says police will not be commenting further based on the IIO investigation.

Meanwhile, any witnesses to Sunday’s shooting are being asked to call Merritt RCMP.

(Photo: Facebook: Grant Rogers)