Man shot and killed following police chase in Niagara; SIU called in
The province's police watchdog agency has been called in following the shooting death of a man following a police chase that ended in Niagara-on-the-Lake Tuesday afternoon.
Niagara Regional Police, Niagara Parks Police and Ontario Provincial Police were involved in the incident, which ended at Line 3 and Niagara Parkway at about 2:30 p.m.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., police were called to the area of Lundy's Lane and Corwin Avenue following the report of a suspected impaired driver.
The vehicle was located around an hour later in the area of Line 3 and the Niagara River Parkway in Niagara on the Lake.
There was an interaction with an adult male and he was subsequently shot by police.
A St. Catharines Standard reporter did report hearing shots fired.
The male was transported to hospital with life threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased.
Monica Hudon, a spokesperson for Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, confirmed the agency is investigating an interaction involving police that resulted in the shooting death of a man.
The NRP posted on its Twitter page shortly after 3 p.m. that there was an active investigation in the area and that Line 1 was closed at Concession 1 and Niagara Parkway was closed between Line 2 and Line 4.
The post also advised the public to stay out of the area.
NRP Const. Phil Gavin said the SIU has invoked its mandate to investigate the incident.
Pending authorization from SIU we are prohibited from providing more information at this time," he said.
The SIU is an arm's-length agency of the province that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.
Anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has information is asked to contact either the SIU at 1-800-787-8529 or the NRP at 688-4111 ext. 1009134.
This is a developing story
- With files from Bob Tymczyszyn
Alison Langley is a St. Catharines-based reporter for the Niagara Falls Review. Reach her via email: alison.langley@niagaradailies.com