Ontario’s police watchdog is now investigating after a male suspect died after being tasered by police in North York, Ont.
Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after a male died after being tasered by police officers in North York late Sunday afternoon.
The incident happened at a home on Killamarsh Drive, which is near Keele Street and Finch Avenue West.
Toronto police said they were called to that area at around 5:40 p.m. for a “priority” call.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), in a release, said at around the same time Toronto Police Service received a call for a “disturbance” at a house in that vicinity.
Police previously said a male at the scene was armed with a knife and officers deployed a taser.
According to the civilian agency, officers arrived at the scene and “were involved in a physical altercation with a male resident of the home.”
“A conducted energy weapon was discharged at the man. The man was handcuffed. The man went into medical distress. Paramedics were called and officers provided medical attention,” the SIU said.
The male was pronounced deceased on scene a short time later at the scene.
Kristy Denette, of the SIU, said they have invoked their mandate and are dispatching investigators to the scene.
Male dies after tasering North York Sept. 7 A male is dead after being tasered by Toronto police officers on Killamarsh Drive in North York on Sept. 7. (Jacob Estrin/CTV News Toronto)
The investigation is ongoing.
So far, four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.
The province’s SIU is called in to investigate when police are involved in an incident that results in death, serious injury, sexual assault, and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person.
Anyone with information about this investigation, including video or photos, is asked to to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online.