Ontario’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, says it is investigating after a police shooting in Markham, Ont., left one person dead.
York Regional Police said the incident occurred at around 7:10 a.m., on Friday, in the Eyer Drive and Calvert Road area.
Police said officers were in the area “as part of an investigation into six recent home invasion robberies.”
According to police, an “interaction occurred between officers and multiple suspects.”
Police said one man was shot and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Another man was shot and was taken to hospital. Officers said he is now in stable condition.
According to police, two males and one female were arrested and remain in custody.
The SIU has taken carriage of the investigation.
According to the SIU, the officers were in plainclothes, and in unmarked police vehicles at the time of the incident.
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Police spokesperson Maniva Armstrong said concern in the community regarding the recent home invasions was what had led to investigators being in Markham before the shooting took place.
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“We have had several home invasions here in Markham. They have been violent home invasions involving multiple suspects attacking people in their homes in the middle of the night and robbing them of their … valuables,” Armstrong said.
She said there is a “huge concern” for the community.
“This is a huge concern for our police service, and we have been actively involved in this investigation and as a result it led to the incident that took place this morning,” she said.
Monica Hudon, a spokesperson for the SIU, said the officers were in the area to investigate a white vehicle.
She said agency does not have the identity of the deceased man, but added that the other suspects who were taken into custody are all 26 years old.
Asked by reporters if the suspects fired any shots, Hudon said “not to my knowledge.”
“My understanding at this point is that two officers discharged their firearms, and I don’t have any information about anyone else discharging any weapons.”
Hudon said, though, that one of the suspects was allegedly armed with a firearm.
According to Hudon, seven investigators and four forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.
Anyone with information or who may have video evidence is asked to contact the SIU.
Ash Mathur has lived in the neighbourhood for 20 years.
He said he woke up Friday morning to see helicopters and police.
Mathur said the recent series of home invasions reported in the area is “concerning.”
“As residents, as homeowners, you try to do everything possible, but it’s unfortunate that these things are rising and hopefully the police can make this a safer neighbourhood,” he said.
-with files from Global News’ Tracy Tong and Shallima Maharaj and The Canadian Press
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