Beau Baker's family releases statement about son's shooting death

Lawyers for Jackie Baker released a statement that was critical of Waterloo Regional Police in the shooting death of her son Beau.

20-year-old Beau Baker was shot by police outside his apartment building on Brybeck Crescent in Kitchener on April 2.

"Beau had documented mental health issues and was in obvious emotional distress when police arrived at his residence. Beau's family believes that with proper policing his death was avoidable," said the statement.

The province's Special Investigations Unit, which investigates whenever someone is seriously hurt or killed by police, is investigating Baker's death.

Baker's lawyers said it is too soon to know whether legal action will be taken against police, as the investigation is ongoing.

Staff Sgt. Michael Haffner of the Waterloo Regional Police said the service cannot comment on the incident until the investigation is complete.

"It is our expectation that through the involvement of the SIU, and likely a coroner's inquest, that the Baker family, our community, the Service and its members will be provided a complete and non-speculative account of the events of that night," wrote Haffner in a statement.

There is no indication as to when the SIU investigation will be complete.