One person dead after stand-off on Avenue Q North in Saskatoon

One man is dead following a day long stand-off in the 500 block of Avenue Q North in Saskatoon.

At 9:15 Thursday morning, Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) officers responded to a call of a break and enter at a residence.

The complainant also alerted police that several firearms and ammunition were inside the home.

Patrol, tactical support and canine units all responded.

Police said officers entered the residence where they found a male armed with a long-barreled gun. Officers then engaged with the suspect and shots were fired.

Officers then left the home, and said after they exited, more shots were heard.

Police chief Clive Weighill held a press conference Thursday evening where he confirmed that two SPS officers will take”a day or two off”  following the incident. He said at least one officer fired shots, but could not confirm if more than one officer fired a weapon.

Police say continued efforts to communicate with the man were not successful and at 4:30 Thursday afternoon officers re-entered the home and found a man dead in a bedroom.

The incident is now being investigated by the major crime unit. Because preliminary investigation indicates shots were fired by members of the police service, a request has also been made by the SPS for the Department of Justice to assign another agency to oversee the investigation.