In 2024, a woman in Duncan on Vancouver Island sustained injuries while being arrested for waving what appeared to be a handgun at passing vehicles. The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) revealed that during the arrest, she was found holding a “novelty cigarette lighter” that resembled a real firearm.
Multiple 911 calls on Nov. 29, 2024, reported the woman’s alarming behavior, prompting the RCMP to respond. Despite resistance, the police managed to handcuff her after using pepper spray, as detailed in the IIO report released recently.
When informed of the charges related to the firearm and a dangerous weapon, the woman clarified that the item in question was a gift—a lighter designed to look like a gun. The struggle during the arrest resulted in a shoulder injury for the woman, leading to a dislocated shoulder and a fracture confirmed at the hospital.
Despite the incident, the IIO cleared the RCMP officers of any misconduct in July 2025. Further details on the ongoing police investigation were not disclosed at the time.