Toronto police say an officer shot and critically injured a man shortly after it was reported a person had a knife in a park and was allegedly threatening people.
Ontario’s police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, was notified of the shooting and is now investigating Toronto police for their role in the shooting.
Police said they were first called to a park near Black Creek Drive and Todd Baylis Boulevard, just north of Eglinton Avenue, at 7:58 a.m. Monday for reports of a person with a knife.
Police initially said the person may have been threatening people in the park.
Speaking to reporters later on Monday, Special Investigations Unit spokesperson Kristy Denette said the man walking a dog allegedly had a knife and had an interaction with another man.
Police also said another concerned caller reported that he might have cut himself.
Denette said officers arrived on scene in just a few minutes.
According to Denette, there was a “short foot pursuit” that stretched from the park, into a nearby intersection.
She said during the incident, two officers fired their conducted energy weapons — commonly known as tasers — at the man.
A third officer discharged his firearm “multiple” times, Denette said, adding that the man was struck.
It was not immediately clear how many times, or where the man was struck.
According to Denette, officers at the scene rendered medical care to the man until an ambulance arrived.
Denette said there is some body-camera footage that investigators will be going through to better understand what took place.
According to the SIU, the man was undergoing surgery and was in serious condition.
No one else was injured as a result of the incident, Denette confirmed.
The SIU is an independent agency that investigates the conduct of Ontario police officers in incidents that cause serious injury, death or alleged sexual assault.
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