Nova Scotia’s Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) is investigating after a 24-year-old man was shot and killed by a police officer Saturday morning.
SiRT director Felix Cacchione said police received a call shortly after 8 a.m. Saturday and attended a residence along Broom Road in Westphal, N.S.
“Shots were fired by a police officer, or police officers,” Cacchione said. “At this point, the investigation is in its early stages and is ongoing.”.
SiRT is responsible for investigating all serious incidents involving police in Nova Scotia, whether or not there is an allegation of wrongdoing.
In a news release Saturday morning, Nova Scotia RCMP said Mounties and Halifax Regional Police officers were at the scene of an “unfolding incident,” which started Saturday morning.
Police asked the public to stay away from the area between 40 Broom Road and Highway 7 in Westphal.
Nova Scotia RCMP issued a second news release Saturday afternoon, saying they responded to a call of a man threatening to shoot another man.
“As members responded, the man fled the home and entered a wooded area,” the news release reads. “While police were attempting to locate him utilizing RCMP Police Dog Services, they were confronted by the man resulting in officers discharging their firearms.”
WATCH: Police on scene of ‘unfolding incident’ in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia
Police say the suspect died at the scene.
The investigation has now been turned over to SiRT.