WINNIPEG — The 44-year-old man who died after an officer involved shooting has been identified by family as Haki Sefa.
Winnipeg police say the incident happened at around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday on Highway 59, just north of Highway 44. The Independent Investigation Unit has been called in to investigate.
IIU Civilian Director Zane Tessler said they were called in to investigate the shooting at 11:24 p.m.
Tessler said the victim’s family called police Sunday evening because they were concerned for the well being of the driver, giving police the description of the van.
WATCH: IIU Executive Director breaks down response to officer involved shooting on Sunday
“We do have information from family members that were indicating there was some issues at home and the assistance from the police were sought,” said Tessler.
Officers located the van at Concordia Avenue and Lagimodiere Boulevard and followed him up Highway 59 where officers stopped the vehicle.
“at some point the police officers discharged their firearms and then began to apply life saving techniques on the occupant of that van,” said Tessler.
“I heard four times like bang bang bang bang, I said oh my goodness, am I dreaming,” said Marta Janusz, who lives nearby, “then I said to my husband gunshots you heard the gunshots.”
The IIU investigates all serious incidents involving police officers in Manitoba, whether occurring on or off duty.
RCMP blocked off Highway 59 Northbound until 2 pm. It has since re-opened.
WATCH: Global’s Skyview-1 helicopter over the scene of officer involved shooting
Global News was on scene Monday and could see a white cube van with no back windows sandwiched between two black unmarked Winnipeg Police tactical SUVs.
WATCH: Global’s Lorraine Nickel updates the situation from the scene
The doors on both of the black SUVs were still open along with the van’s driver side door.
Just a few feet from where the white van sits, what appears to be a black handgun is on the ground near a yellow police marker and a pair of glasses.
WATCH: Residents near the scene describe hearing gunshots
There are three Winnipeg police cars stopped behind the van.
STARS Air Ambulance tells Global News the crew was dispatched but were told to stand down before going airborne.
MAP: Location of officer involved shooting:
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