Police shoot, kill suspect
City police released more details today about a confrontation late Monday night in which a city police shot and killed a man.
Sgt. Kelly Dennison said it appears one of two officers shot the man behind an apartment block at 34 Langside St. within seconds after they encountered him.
The scene in the 100 block of Langside Street this morning after police shot and killed an armed man last night. Police said they first attempted to use a Taser on the suspect but it failed. The officers, fearing for their safety, fired at the suspect.
Dennison said the man refused repeated demands to drop a firearm and a bat.
One of the officers first tried to taser the man, but for an unknown reason it was not effective in immobilizing the man.
A Taser fires two probes that when both connected to a person emit a five-second 50,000 volt burst. If one probe fails to hit, or if the target is too far away or winter clothing too thick, the Taser doesn't work.
The officers were called to the block across from Balmoral Hall School at about 10:45 p.m. when a man living in the block called 911 saying another man was threatening his safety.
The two knew one another, but Dennison said the incident was not a domestic call.
The first two-officer patrol on the scene -- two units were dispatched arrived within minutes. It's believed they the officers knew from the original dispatch that they may be dealing with an armed individual.
Dennison said the two officers walked around the block from the front street and almost immediately came face-to-face with the suspect. He apparently had just arrived -- it's believed he never got into the block - after walking down the backlane.
Dennison the man pointed the gun at the two officers. One of the officers had his handgun unholstered and it's believed the other was armed with a Taser.
When the Taser did not immobilize the man and he still threatened officers with his gun, the second officer shot him.
Dennison said the officer feared for his own and his partner's safety and acted "appropriately."
"We have to take appropriate action," he said. "That's what you pay us for."
Dennison said he could not comment on the number of shots fired or how many times the man was hit.
People in the area said they heard three or four shots. The man was rushed to hospital, but died soon after arrival.
As per police policy, the two officers have been placed on temporary administrative leave as the shooting is investigated by the homicide unit. The two officers have about-two-to-five years experience.
Detectives will determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting and if it was justified. Officers are also investigating a number of independent witnesses.
By law, a provincial inquest must also be held.
The man's name and age has not been released.
Dennison said it appears he does not have a criminal record.
He also said the incident was not gang or drug related.
Police have blocked off both entrances to Langside Street between Westminster Avenue and Cornish Avenue. Furby Street is also blocked from Westminster to Cornish along with five housing complexes and about a dozen homes along Furby.
Dennison did not say why police have blocked off such a large area.
It's not known if the deceased man lived in the area and whether police are attempting to retrace his steps.
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