The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating after a York Regional Police officer fatally shot a 37-year-old man during a call for a domestic disturbance last night in Newmarket.
Police received multiple calls from citizens about the sounds of screaming and a loud disturbance occurring in an apartment on Crowder Boulevard on Thursday, Dec. 7 at 10:15 p.m., according to a York Regional Police news release.
An adult woman at the scene, in the area of Leslie and Gorham streets, was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
According to preliminary information released by the SIU, officers located the man in a stairwell of the apartment building and, during an interaction, the man was shot by police.
Paramedics responded and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Five investigators and three forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. The post-mortem is scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 9.
One subject official and two witness officials have been designated at this time.
While the province’s SIU was notified and has invoked its mandate, York Regional Police #1 District criminal investigation bureau is conducting a parallel investigation, police said.
The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers, as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians.
— With files from Debora Kelly