Ontario’s police watchdog says a male fatally shot by York Regional Police officers investigating an alleged break-and-enter in Aurora on Wednesday was 17-years-old.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is set to provide more information during a news conference Thursday morning.
The shooting happened around 7:50 p.m. at a home on Downey Circle, in the area of St. John’s Side Road and Bayview Avenue, after officers responded to multiple calls about a break-and-enter in progress.
“When officers arrived on scene, they immediately had an interaction with the male suspect. As a result of this interaction, officers discharged their firearms and the male is now deceased,” Const. Jason Dickson told media from the scene.
There was a large police presence for several hours but no ongoing threat to public safety, Dickson said. Some residents were unable to get to their homes on Downey Circle as officers cleared the area.
York police are appealing to anyone who may have information or video of the incident to contact investigators. Dickson said police are aware of videos “already starting to circulate.”
The SIU is an independent agency that investigates police conduct in incidents that result in death, serious injury, the discharge of a firearm or allegations of sexual assault.
The agency said it has four investigators and three forensic investigators assigned to the case.