Officers responded to reports of a man carrying a firearm and “there was an interaction” between officers and the man, according to the Special Investigation Unit of the Canadian province of Ontario. At some point in the interaction, two officers shot the suspect and hit him at least once, police said. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.
At least four schools in the area were closed Thursday as authorities tried to determine the extent of the threat, according to a series of tweets from the Toronto District School Board. The incident occurs when the United States faces the clash of two recent masses. shootings: his deadliest school shooting in nearly a decade in Uvalde, Texas, and a racist shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.
“We certainly understand the trauma and trauma it must have been for staff, students and parents given the two recent events in the United States,” said Toronto Police Chief James Ramer. at a press conference after the incident, referring to Uvalde. and buffalo shootings.
He added that he understands the concern of the community as the armed suspect was very close to the schools.
Blocked schools included William G. Davis Junior Public School, Joseph Howe Senior Public School, Charlottetown Junior Public School and Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute, according to a school board tweet.
“I was so scared, I just started praying,” a student told CTV, a CNN affiliate.
The Ontario Special Investigations Unit is now investigating the deadly shooting, according to a press release.
“Four investigators and three forensic investigators have been assigned to the case,” the statement said.
Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford tweeted his gratitude to the police and emergency services for their “swift action”.
“Thank you to the police and emergency services for your quick action today in Scarborough,” he said. “We are very grateful for everything you do to keep our communities safe.”
CNN’s Elizabeth Wolfe contributed to this report.