Sault, ON Police Officer shot in serious condition; suspect dead.

Shortly after 4 a.m., heavy police presence was reported in the central part of the city.

Upon arrival in the area of Pine and McNabb, several police vehicles could be seen in the 600-700 block of Pine Street.

A witness in the area said they heard 6-10 “rapid-fire gunshots.” A second individual interviewed stated the shots woke he and his wife from a dead sleep.

Given our previous experience, the police response which included several members of the Emergency Services Unit, the Ballistics Armoured Tactical Transport, K9 and patrol officers is typical for a weapons call.

Police have taped off a significant section of Pine Street beside the Food Basics, including the North-East entrance to the Plaza.

The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a 19-year-old man early this morning in Sault Ste. Marie.

Preliminary information suggests the following:

• At approximately 3:41 a.m. on September 19, 2021, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service were dispatched to a residence on Pine Street North for a domestic situation.
• At about 4:04 a.m., an officer was shot and officers discharged their firearms at the man.
• A 19-year-old man was struck. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.
• An officer was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

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. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must

• consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
• depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
• publicly report the results of its investigations

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Source: Dan Gray/SaultOnline.com