U.S. man suspected in death of teen girlfriend arrested at White Rock hospital

A U.S. man wanted in connection with the early morning death of a woman in Washington state crossed the border and was arrested at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock, B.C., Monday afternoon.

"A short foot pursuit took place and they were taken into custody without incident," said Cpl. Eleanor Sturko, with Surrey RCMP. "Thankfully, none of the officers or any member of the public was injured as a result of the arrest."

Pierce County Sheriff's Department in Washington said the suspect allegedly shot his 19-year-old girlfriend early Monday morning inside a home in Puyallup, southeast of Tacoma.

Police say Jordan Eaton, 26, then fled in a stolen van. The vehicle was recovered in Blaine, Wash., by the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office.

"There is video of him crossing the border illegally on foot — and he was armed," said Det. Ed Troyer with the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.

Troyer said the sheriff's office contacted RCMP, and a track was put on Eaton's phone. A short time later, the tracking picked up Eaton's signal at Peace Arch Hospital where RCMP arrested him.

"From what I understand, he tried to run from them," said Troyer. "They took him down at gunpoint because he was armed, and they did take the weapon off him."

Sturko said Federal Services and Organized Crime Division asked Surrey RCMP for its assistance at approximately 1:20 p.m. Monday.

The suspect was located and brought into custody within 30 minutes of that call, she said.

The man is being held in custody in a Surrey detachment cell.

"As the work continues, we'll find out what the next steps are and whether or not this person will be sent back to the United States," said Sturko.