Man in hospital after shots fired in downtown Saskatoon incident involving police

A man is in hospital after shots were fired in a downtown Saskatoon incident involving police. 

Several police officers responded to a scene in downtown Saskatoon Wednesday after a report of someone smashing a car window and trying to steal something from the car, according to Saskatoon Police Service. 

The theft was reported in the 200 block of 4th Avenue, police said.

One bystander told CBC News he saw a man hit a police dog with an object and police officers fire several shots at the man. A few minutes later, the bystander said, a person was loaded into the back of an EMS van. 

A Saskatoon Police Service spokesperson could not confirm who fired shots.

"We don't know who fired," said Kelsie Fraser, adding that investigators with the major crime unit were still on the scene as of late Wednesday afternoon.

As for the man in hospital, "I don't know the nature of his role in this incident," said Fraser.

Another bystander, Barry Steiner, said he and his wife were driving to the river for a walk when police cars forced them to park near Hudsons Canada's Pub on the corner of 4th Avenue and 21st Street. 

"Just as we got out of the car we witnessed a shootout," said Steiner.

"Police were shooting at a guy. I don't know what kind of car he was in because it was blocked by police cars. Three or four shots were fired. And the guy got out of the car and started running so they chased him down 4th Avenue."

Police have blocked off a portion of 4th Avenue near the intersection with 20th Street, as well as a section of 20th Street going to Spadina Crescent.

Police say there is no threat to public safety but traffic restrictions will remain in place as police continue to investigate.