Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after a Sault Ste. Marie Police Service (SSMPS) officer shot a 37-year-old man in the city’s west end on Saturday night.
“(The) officer discharged their firearm during a call for service in the 0-100 block of Second Line West,” SSMPS said in a news release on Sunday.
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At about 10:30 p.m. on May 11, officers were “flagged down” by people who told officers a 37-year-old was harassing them, according to Sault police.
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said officers encountered the man near the Circle K location on Second Line West.
Sault police said officers attempted to get the man to leave the area.
“Officers offered to transport him to another location,” said SIU officials in a news release Sunday afternoon.
“When the officers searched the man, they located a handgun.”
According to police the interaction “escalated” and an officer discharged his firearm striking the man.
The person was transported to hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
Yellow police tape and a heavy police presence was still visible around the parking lot of the Westside Plaza at the corner of Peoples Road and Second Line West early Sunday afternoon.
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“Sault Ste. Marie police notified the SIU. The SIU invoked its mandate,” said police.
“As required by law, no further information can be provided by the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service at this time.”
The SIU investigates the conduct of police officers in cases that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or shooting.
The SIU said its investigation is ongoing.
Four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.
The SIU is asking anyone who may have information about the incident to contact investigators at 1-800-787-8529 or submit evidence including statements, photos and/or video or other details online.
Sunday night, Sault police said the crime scene was reopened to the public.
"During the early stages of the investigation, officers secured the scene, which included a number of vehicles parked in the area. With the scene now clear, anyone who has a vehicle in the area can now go get their vehicle and drive it home," Sault police said in a news release.
"911 communicators have been and will continue attempting to contact people who have a vehicle parked in the area."
