37-year-old man dies following Sault police shooting
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.
A viewer provided photo showing the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service had taped off parts of the Westside Plaza parking lot at about 11:30 p.m. on May 11, 2024.
“(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.
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.
A viewer provided photo showing the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service had taped off parts of the Westside Plaza parking lot at about 11:30 p.m. on May 11, 2024.
“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.
A heavy police presence and yellow police tape is still visible around the Westside Plaza parking lot at the corner of Peoples Road and Second Line West in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. on Sunday following a fatal police shooting on Saturday. May 12, 2024. (Cory Nordstrom/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“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.
A viewer provided photo showing the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service had taped off parts of the Westside Plaza parking lot at about 11:30 p.m. on May 11, 2024.
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."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Possible scenarios that could play out in Ottawa as the Liberal government teeters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is said to be reflecting on his future over the holidays after the resignation of his top cabinet minister, Chrystia Freeland, in mid-December. The bombshell move prompted a fresh wave of calls for Trudeau to step down as Liberal leader from inside and outside the caucus.
5 things we know and still don't know about COVID, 5 years after it appeared
The virus is still with us, though humanity has built up immunity through vaccinations and infections. It's less deadly than it was in the pandemic's early days and it no longer tops the list of leading causes of death. But the virus is evolving, meaning scientists must track it closely.
Man who died in Tesla Cybertruck explosion was active-duty U.S. Army soldier, officials say
The person who authorities believe died in the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck packed with firework mortars and camp fuel canisters outside U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotel was an active-duty U.S. Army soldier, three U.S. officials told The Associated Press on Thursday.
Woman, father killed on New Year's Eve were victims of intimate partner violence: Halifax police
Halifax police are investigating three deaths that are connected – two of which they say were homicides resulting from intimate partner violence – in the city on New Year’s Eve.
Mounties investigate discovery of 'very small pipe bomb' in Kamloops, B.C.
Mounties are investigating and appealing for witnesses after an explosive device was discovered Wednesday on a beach in Kamloops, B.C.
LIVE UPDATES FBI says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an 'act of terrorism'
The FBI now says the New Orleans truck attacker acted alone in an 'act of terrorism' when he drove a pickup truck into a crowd of New Year's revellers early Wednesday, killing 14 people.
Sask. RCMP locate missing inmate of Yorkton prison
An inmate who was wanted for being unlawfully-at-large after not returning to Whitespruce Provincial Training Centre in Yorkton has been found and arrested.
FORECAST Weather warnings issued in 6 provinces and territories
Wintry weather conditions, including heavy snow and wind chill values around -55, prompted warnings in six provinces and territories early Thursday morning.
Who are Canada's top-earning CEOs and how much do they make?
Canada's 100 highest-paid CEOs earned $13.2 million on average in 2023 from salaries, bonuses and other compensation, according to the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.