Peter Degroot, suspect in shootout in Slocan, B.C., dead

Peter Degroot, the suspected gunman who has been on the run near the small B.C. Kootenay community of Slocan since Thursday, is dead, police say.​

You can follow a live news conference by police here, as our reporter Kirk Williams live tweets:

Degroot, 45, allegedly fired on police after they showed up to investigate a dispute between two people — possibly over the condition of animals he was keeping.

When police returned fire, Degroot fled into the woods, prompting officers to lock down the village and evacuate schools and homes.

News of Degroot's death comes after police spent five days searching the heavily-forested area and its rugged terrain.

The Independent Investigations Office has confirmed it has been deployed to Slocan to investigate the death.

More to come