An independent unit has launched an investigation after a suspect died in an officer-involved shooting Sunday night.
Winnipeg police said the shooting incident happened around 10:30 p.m., on Highway 59 just north of Highway 44.
Witnesses reported hearing four gunshots.
A white van with damage to it was seen on the highway between two police tactical vehicles. A gun could also been seen next to the van.
Sources told CTV the gun on the ground at the scene by the white van was not a police officer’s weapon.
The Winnipeg Police Association told CTV Monday no police officers were harmed in the shooting, and that the man shot was a suspect at the time.
The association said it works to ensure members are well taken care of any time there is a "traumatic incident" involving an officer.
“(The WPA) wants to make sure all proper protocols are followed, while at the same time allowing members to assist in the investigation in a timely fashion,” the association said.
These protocols include seeing a psychologist, attending a debriefing and participating in a peer assistance program.
Winnipeg police said they would not be commenting further and noted the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba has now taken over the case.
"The IIU investigates all serious incidents involving police officers in Manitoba, whether occurring on or off duty," said the IIU in a statement.
It listed the man's age as 44, but did not release his name.
Zane Tessler, civilian director with the IIU, said Winnipeg police received a call from a family seeking assistance regarding personal issues.
Officers began following the white van in Transcona near Concordia and Lagimodiere. Police followed the van but there was no high-speed pursuit, said Tessler.
The van travelled north on Highway 59 and was brought to a stop just past the Highway 44 junction.
At approximately 10:30 p.m., police discharged a firearm, said Tessler.
Emergency crews worked to save the man’s life but he died at the scene, said Tessler.
The IIU was notified about the man’s death around 11:25 p.m.
Tessler would not confirm how many shots were fired or if more than one weapon was involved. He also would not confirm whether the gun on the ground next to the van belonged to the suspect.
The IIU has been in operation since June 2015. This is the first case of an officer-involved shooting being investigated by the unit.
"There’s no doubt there is a very strong and significant public interests any time an officer is required to use lethal force in any situation. This is not something people want to do. But for those reasons that’s why the IIU was brought into the province,” said Tessler.
Tessler said RCMP are assisting with gathering physical evidence and he would not comment on whether any officers from Winnipeg Police Service are now on leave after the shooting.
He couldn’t set a timeline on when the investigation will be completed.
The WPA said Winnipeg’s homicide unit started the investigation before handing it over to the IIU.
- with a report from Beth Macdonell
