Vancouver (Rajeev Sharma): A police officer of Punjabi origin in Canada has been recognised alongside three colleagues for his role in a dangerous hostage situation that ended with two women being rescued from an armed attacker.
Constables Opinder Kooner, Riley Nelmes, Brian Rogger and Michael Wu have received the Vancouver Police Department’s Chief Constable’s Citation for their actions during the incident, which involved an armed man attacking an employee at a convenience store and threatening two women inside.
The recognition followed an investigation into the incident, including a review of the crime scene and accounts provided by the victims.
Officers confronted knife-wielding suspect
The incident unfolded on December 4, 2024, after police received a 911 call about a man who had reportedly entered a restaurant in downtown Vancouver and stolen alcohol and knives.
When the four officers reached the area, the suspect had moved into a nearby convenience store.
Inside the store, the man attacked a female employee, stabbing her in the head, back and hand. The injured woman was unable to escape and remained inside with the attacker and another female employee.
The officers entered the premises and initially attempted to calm the situation through verbal communication. When those efforts failed, one of the constables deployed a conducted energy weapon against the suspect, but it did not stop him.
The situation then escalated rapidly as the armed man moved towards the two women and began lunging at them with a knife.
A second officer fired his weapon, bringing the immediate threat to an end.
Police provide emergency assistance
Once the attacker was stopped, the officers turned their attention to the injured women. They provided first aid at the scene and continued assisting them until medical personnel arrived.
The suspect later died from his injuries.
The Vancouver Police Department subsequently reviewed the officers’ actions as part of its investigation into the incident. Based on the circumstances and statements from the victims, the four officers were recognised for acting decisively during what police described as an active deadly threat.
Punjabi-origin officer among award recipients
Opinder Kooner is among the four officers receiving the Chief Constable’s Citation. The honour recognises the group’s response in protecting the two women and preventing the attack from escalating further.
The department credited all four officers with showing courage and making critical decisions under extremely difficult circumstances.
The award highlights the risks faced by frontline officers when responding to calls involving weapons, hostages and rapidly changing threats.
