Man dead in Saskatoon police shooting

A man is dead after a police-involved shooting in Saskatoon.

Saskatoon police said it happened at approximately 9:20 p.m. CT on Dec. 22, when an officer and man engaged in gunfire in the area of Valley Road and Dundonald Avenue.

Police Chief Troy Cooper said Warman RCMP informed the force at around 8 p.m. a distressed man armed with a handgun was threatening to harm himself and officers and was heading towards Saskatoon.

RCMP said a tire deflation device was used to partially disable the vehicle.

Saskatoon police said they confronted the man on the outskirts of the city and he fired at officers.

Officers said they perceived a threat and returned gunfire, striking the man.

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The 27-year-old man was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead. His name has not been released.

Cooper said the man had been in contact with several individuals, including the Saskatoon police crisis negotiation unit, throughout the incident.

No police officers were physically injured.

The office of the chief coroner scheduled an autopsy to take place Dec. 27 in Regina.

The police service said it’s working with the family of the 27-year-old man as well as providing support through victim services.

The Ministry of Justice has been asked to provide oversight into an independent investigation.

The Saskatoon police’s major crimes and forensic identification units continue to investigate.