Man critically injured in shooting with 2 Toronto police officers during traffic stop

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Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) say a man has life-threatening injuries after two Toronto police officers fired their guns during a traffic stop on Sunday night.

The SIU said the stop was near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West at around 11 p.m. after a Toronto police officer stopped a car in relation to a Highway Traffic Act infraction.

Police stopped the vehicle — a Lexus — because it was missing a license plate at the front, according to the SIU. After officers stopped the vehicle, there was an interaction and two officers discharged their guns.

Details around the incident remain hazy while the SIU, which acts as the police watchdog investigating various incidents, including officer-involved shootings, looks into it.

Kristy Denette, a spokesperson for the SIU, said on Monday that Toronto police had reported an exchange of gunfire around the time the two officers fired their weapons.

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“Early information indicates that there was an exchange of gunfire, that’s what Toronto police have told us,” she told reporters. “However, I’m unable to confirm that at this time simply because it is too early.”

The SIU is canvassing witnesses in the area and who were nearby. The agency said six people were in the vehicle that was stopped and there are also witness officers to be questioned.

0:26 Man critically injured in shooting with two Toronto police officers during traffic stop

Alongside, Toronto police are working on their own investigation.

“Toronto police is also conducting a parallel criminal investigation; they have an interest in this as well,” Denette said.

“Last I checked, there was a search warrant that they were trying to get to get access to that Lexus. We believe there is a firearm in that vehicle, however, I can’t speak to if it is indeed a firearm or whatnot because we simply have not examined it.”

The SIU said the man remained in life-threatening condition and he hasn’t been identified yet.

Anyone with information, photos or video is asked to contact the SIU.