Ontario police watchdog investigating after Toronto police officer shoots man allegedly holding weapon
Ontario's police watchdog is investigating after a police officer shot a 30-year-old man seen holding an axe or a hatchet late Thursday afternoon in Toronto.
Toronto Police say they received calls about a person with a knife at 4:07 p.m. on Thursday in the area of Lake Shore Boulevard West and Twenty Fourth Street. Several callers had phoned in about a man with a hatchet or an axe screaming at people, they said.
The province's Special Investigations Unit (SIU) confirmed Thursday evening on Twitter that a Toronto police officer shot the man and he was taken to hospital.
tn a statement published Thursday night, the SIU said one officer discharged a firearm following an "interaction" and the man was taken to the hospital for treatment of a gun shot wound, and also confirmed the man is 30 years old.
"Four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. At this time, one subject officer and one witness officer have been designated," the statement said.
The SIU is an independent agency that probes incidents involving the police that have resulted in death, serious injury, reports of sexual assault.
Earlier Thursday evening, Toronto Police Const. Alex Li confirmed that an officer discharged a firearm and as a result the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been called in.
Toronto paramedics said one adult male was transported to hospital with serious injuries following the incident.
Li said he had no information on the injuries and did not know if one or multiple shots were fired.
No one was injured by the man allegedly holding the hatchet or axe, he said.
Lake Shore Boulevard West is closed from Twenty First Street to Twenty Sixth Street and the public is urged to avoid the area.
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about the incident to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. They are also asking those who may have video evidence to upload it through the SIU's website.
