Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating after the driver of a suspected stolen Mercedes-Benz was fatally shot by a Toronto police officer during an investigation in Mississauga early Thursday morning.
The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on Delfi Road, near Council Ring Road and The Collegeway, while Toronto police officers were investigating a Mercedes reported stolen the previous day.
According to the SIU, five unmarked Toronto police vehicles were involved in the operation. During the incident, three unmarked police vehicles collided with the Mercedes before an officer, who was standing on the roadway, fired into the vehicle through the driver’s side window.
The driver was struck by gunfire and was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity or age, pending notification of next of kin.
Three other occupants of the Mercedes were taken into custody without injury. Police have not disclosed what charges, if any, they may face.
One Toronto police officer sustained minor injuries during the incident and was transported to hospital for treatment.
The SIU said there is no evidence of an exchange of gunfire, although two firearms were recovered near the Mercedes as part of the investigation.
The watchdog has assigned four investigators, three forensic investigators and a collision reconstructionist to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
