The province’s police watchdog is investigating the death of a 33-year-old man who was fatally shot by members of the Brantford Police Service.
Police said their Emergency Response Team responded to reports of a disturbance involving a married couple at a Palomino Drive home around 2:15 a.m. Friday.
“There were some negotiations with a male in the residence,” said SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette.
The man was also armed.
“There was a sharp-edged knife that was involved,” Denette confirmed.
By 4:30 a.m., the situation inside the home escalated.
“There was an incident that prompted police to enter the unit,” Denette said. “Then there were shots discharged. At this time, preliminary information indicates that it’s three officers who discharged their firearms.”
“The man was struck multiple times,” she added.
Officers tried to help the man.
“Despite receiving life-saving efforts at the scene, the male was pronounced deceased,” a police release said. “The female victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the dispute.”
She remains in hospital, according to Denette.
The SIU arrived on Palomino Drive hours later to begin the task of collecting evidence.
“Forensic investigators are going through the residence and they’re taking pictures, recovering cartridge cases, that sort of thing. We also have a number of investigators who are here interviewing any witnesses, gathering any doorbell cam footage,” Denette said. “I understand there is body-worn camera footage [from officers]. We haven’t obtained that yet, but that will be helpful as far as our investigation goes.”
The team also wants to speak with the man’s wife.
“But these things take time,” Denette said.
A postmortem of the man is scheduled to take place on Sunday.
The SIU investigates all incidents involving police that result in death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault, as well as police-involved shootings.
Until their investigation is complete, Brantford Police cannot comment on the shooting.
- With reporting by Karis Mapp
