The Independent Investigation Office is responding to a situation last night near the Merritt RCMP detachment, where a man died after shots were fired.

According to brief news release from the IIO, Merritt RCMP heard shots fired outside of the detachment on Voght Street at 4:40 p.m. yesterday.

When officers went to find out the source, an armed man was spotted, and police went to take cover.

The man was found dead “a short time later,” according to the IIO. Further details are unclear, but it does not appear there was any exchange of gunfire between officers or the armed man.

There’s no word on whether the Southeast District RCMP Emergency Response Team was called in, which is commonplace for any situation with an armed civilian where there may be a potentially fatal outcome.

Details about the man who died and any motives are also unclear.

The IIO investigates all situations where RCMP officers respond and there is serious injury or death.