PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. - A man who discharged a firearm at police officers during a patrol stop near Prince George in May 2025 has been sentenced to eight years in prison, Prince George RCMP announced November 2.
On October 27, 2026, Tyler Suel pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm with intent to wound or disfigure. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and is subject to a ten-year firearms prohibition and a DNA order. Suel remains in custody to serve his sentence, the detachment said.
The case began on May 27, 2025, at about 7:20 p.m., when members of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team (CFSEU-BC’s UGET) and Prince George RCMP were conducting proactive patrols in the area of East Perry Road in Prince George. When officers attempted to stop a vehicle, the driver got out and discharged a firearm at police before fleeing the area.
Officers later located the suspect on a forest service road in the Tabor-Ferndale area, where a further interaction occurred. The suspect was taken into custody, provided with first aid and transported to hospital with injuries initially believed to be serious.
The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC), the civilian body that investigates police-involved incidents involving death or serious harm, was notified and opened an investigation into the police-involved shooting. On May 30, 2025, the IIO announced it had concluded its investigation after determining the injuries did not meet the statutory threshold for serious harm. Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit ran a separate investigation into the suspect’s actions, which led to the criminal proceedings, guilty plea and sentence.
“Discharging a firearm at police officers puts not only the lives of those officers at risk, but also the safety of the surrounding community,” said Cpl. Jennifer Cooper, BC RCMP spokesperson for Northern B.C. “This case demonstrates the dangers our officers can face while carrying out proactive enforcement activities. We are grateful that no officers were injured and appreciate the investigative work that brought this matter before the courts.”
The detachment said the case highlights the ongoing collaboration between CFSEU-BC and Prince George RCMP on serious criminal incidents in Northern British Columbia. The investigation is Prince George RCMP file 2025-15833.
(Source: Prince George RCMP news release, November 2, 2026)
