Manitoba’s police watchdog is investigating after a man was fatally shot by Winnipeg Police during a confrontation in the St. James area Friday evening.
According to a Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) news release, officers were called to the 200 block of Ferry Road around 6:11 p.m. on May 30 following reports of a suspicious person. The call indicated that an unknown man was in a rear lane, covered in blood and possibly trying to break into homes.
At approximately 6:16 p.m., police encountered the man, who was armed with a screwdriver. A “use of force encounter occurred,” during which the man was shot by officers, police said.
Officers provided immediate medical assistance, including chest seals, until paramedics arrived. The man was taken to hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries.
The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU), which is mandated to investigate all serious incidents involving police, confirmed in its own release that it is now leading the investigation.
“A team of IIU investigators was immediately deployed,” the unit said, noting that the man was taken to the Health Sciences Centre, where he died.
The IIU is asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has video footage to contact them at 1-844-667-6060.
No further details are being released at this time as the investigation continues.