Man, 31, dies after Toronto police use stun gun on him
CBC News | Posted: November 4, 2016 6:36 PM | Last Updated: November 5, 2016
Officers called to Old Weston Road and St. Clair Avenue area early Friday afternoon
The province's civilian police watchdog is investigating after a 31-year-old Toronto man died after an "interaction" with Toronto police involving a conducted energy weapon in a quiet neighbourhood in the city's west end.
It began after police received a 911 call from a home on Sagres Crescent in the St. Clair Avenue and Old Weston Road Area on Friday afternoon, Special Investigations Unit spokesperson Jason Gennaro told reporters Friday.
Several officers responded to the home where a confrontation took place with the man and an officer discharged a conducted energy weapon. Gennaro said the man went into medical distress and was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Toronto police Const. Victor Kwong told CBC News on Friday that police were called to the area shortly after noon for reports of an man armed with two knives screaming. When police arrived at the scene, there was "an interaction" with the man, he said.
SIU not confirming reports that man was armed
The SIU announced shortly after 2 p.m. Friday that it had invoked its mandate to investigate the incident. Gennaro would not offer any more detail on the interaction or what led to the death.
Six investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the investigation.
Gennaro told reporters the SIU will be investigating reports that the man was armed but could not confirm if any weapons were found at the scene.
No one else was injured, he said.
On Friday evening, a corner house was taped off along with part of an alley connecting the neighbourhood to the parking lot of the Toronto Weston Flea Market.
Halloween decorations were still up in the area where residents say many young families live. A small park and playground are located a block from where the confrontation happened.
The SIU probes incidents between police and civilians that result in serious injury or death, or that involve alleged sexual assault.