Ontario’s police watchdog has launched an investigation after officials say a man threatening to harm himself with a knife was seriously injured as Toronto officers tried to subdue him.
Emergency crews were called to the area of Sherbourne Street and Richmond Street East at around 3 a.m. for reports of a property being damaged.
The Special Investigations Unit said in a statement the officers found the man who said he was going to hurt himself. After a period of time, the SIU said officers tried to Taser the man twice and it “proved to be ineffective.”
The statement said an officer discharged a beanbag shotgun at the man and he was struck.
Toronto paramedics said a patient was transported to hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
Police would not elaborate on what happened during the confrontation, citing the SIU investigation.
The SIU is an independent agency that investigates the conduct of officers responding to calls that have resulted in death, serious injury, or alleged sexual assault.