Border closed after shooting

BLAINE, Wash. – The Peace Arch crossing on the U.S.-Canada border was closed Tuesday after a man driving a van with Washington plates shot a Canadian guard in the neck and then apparently killed himself, a police official said.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Cpl. Bert Paquet told reporters the female Canadian Border Services Agency officer was breathing when she was flown to a hospital, but he had no further details on her condition.

The officer was in her booth when she was shot. Investigators were trying to figure out what happened and why, Paquet said. Canadian Brian White told reporters at the scene he was waiting to cross northward when he heard the shot.

He said guards immediately responded, and there were people screaming. Officials questioned everyone waiting to cross and took their car registration information.

The officer’s identity and other personal details were withheld. Paquet said U.S. authorities were notified of the incident.

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said she spoke to British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and pledged the state’s cooperation and help in the investigation.

It will be up to Canadian border officials to determine when the crossing will reopen, Washington state Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kris Olsen said.