A school trustee in Prince George, B.C., expressed feeling shaken and fearful after encountering a situation where police officers surrounded her with guns drawn and proceeded to handcuff her. The RCMP later clarified that this was a case of mistaken identity.
Erica McLean, who serves as the vice-chair of the local school board and hails from the Gitxsan Nation in Hazelton, recounted the distressing incident. She described being in the parking lot of a local Starbucks when an unmarked police vehicle made contact with the front of her SUV, followed by another vehicle blocking her from behind.
McLean recalled feeling overwhelmed as multiple officers, armed with guns, surrounded her and issued commands. She expressed her fear, believing that any wrong move on her part could have had dire consequences given the number of weapons pointed at her.
According to the RCMP statement, they had received a report of a stolen vehicle connected to a local crime syndicate. Upon spotting a vehicle they believed to be the stolen one in a parking lot, the police unit initiated a high-risk vehicle stop protocol, which involved using police vehicles to immobilize the suspect vehicle and engaging with the lone driver, McLean, with firearms drawn.
McLean’s vehicle, a black 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan, was mistakenly identified as the stolen vehicle due to similarities in make and license plate. The actual stolen vehicle, a 2025 Volkswagen Taos, was later recovered following a high-speed chase north of Prince George, with five individuals in custody.
Sgt. Dan Morris, commander of the Street Crew Unit, stated that they have been in contact with McLean to explain the circumstances leading to the mistaken identity and have offered support through their Victim Services Unit.
McLean expressed her ongoing distress and difficulty sleeping following the incident, emphasizing her desire for clarity on the events that transpired. She highlighted the need to understand the criteria that led to her being perceived as a threat, prompting such a forceful response from law enforcement.
While contemplating her next steps, McLean intends to engage with the local RCMP superintendent to seek further information and work towards a positive resolution. As a public figure, she feels a responsibility to share her ordeal and advocate for transparency in similar situations within the community.