Police shot at in standoff

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This article was published 27/02/2024 (581 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A man was taken to hospital after he allegedly opened fire on police during a standoff in St. Vital on Monday afternoon.

Officers were sent to a single-family bungalow on the first hundred block of Worthington Avenue regarding a man wanted on five outstanding warrants at about 12:23 p.m.

The Winnipeg Police Service said Tuesday that the man refused to open the door or speak with officers and fired a gun at them from inside the home. None of them were hit by the gunfire.

Members of the service’s heavily armed tactical support team were called in.

Smoke was seen coming from the home at about 2:30 p.m., and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service was notified while officers continued to try to communicate with the man.

“A short time later, the male exited the home while disregarding police commands,” police said in a news release.

Officers with the tactical support team eventually fired “less-lethal munition” (bean bags) at the man. The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba said the man was hit with multiple rounds in his upper torso. The man suffered bruising to his torso, and the province’s police watchdog is investigating because of the injuries.

The man was taken into custody and transported to Health Sciences Centre for “minor injuries,” including smoke inhalation, police said. The WFPS said the man was transported in unstable condition.

Fire crews were sent to the scene at 2:32 p.m. and declared the fire under control at 3:08 p.m.

Police spokesman Const. Jason Michalyshen said the man was the only person inside the home when the fire started.

“The fire is without a doubt suspicious in nature, but we’re still investigating,” Michalyshen said.

A 44-year-old man is facing charges related to the warrants and the incident but remains in hospital.

Nearby Victor Mager School was placed in a “hold and secure,” in which a school’s outside entrances are locked but classes continue as normal, as a precaution during the incident. Police posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, at 2:53 p.m. advising the public to avoid Worthington east of St. Mary’s Road but did not elaborate.

A man was charged earlier this month with firing at police in the first shooting of Winnipeg police officers in more than 15 years. Three members of the tactical support team were struck with pellets from a 12-gauge shotgun in an apartment block at 285 College Ave. during an armed standoff on Feb. 10.

“We’ve been dealing with some very volatile situations. Our members and members of the public have been put at risk, and it’s incredibly concerning for us,” Michalyshen said of the two recent shootings at police.

“We’re seeing a lot of individuals in a state of crisis… and when we see that in our community, we should all be alarmed by it.”

The IIU is asking witnesses or anyone with video of the incident to call 1-844-667-6060.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca