York cops shoot 'male actively attacking a female'

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The province’s police watchdog is investigating after a man was shot by a cop, allegedly to stop him from attacking a woman, inside a Markham condominium early Wednesday.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit says York Regional Police officers responded to the residence at Unionville Gardens on Buchanan Dr. – northwest corner of Hwy. 7 and Birchmount Rd. – around 4:45 a.m. and “located a male actively attacking a female.”

“The nature of the interaction is under investigation,” SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon told reporters at the scene, explaining a tenant heard what sounded like a dispute inside of a unit and called the police.

She said responding officers were outside of the condo and could “hear sounds” coming from inside.

“While outside of the unit officers herd sounds of a disturbance coming from inside the unit,” said Hudon.

“They entered the unit a short time later,” Hudon said. “One officer discharged his firearm and the man was struck.”

She said the man was rushed to a trauma centre with a life-threatening gunshot wound.

The woman was also rushed to a trauma centre with suspected stab wounds, and Hudon said she was in stable condition.

The SIU is investigating the police-involved shooting while York Regional Police are investigating the alleged attack on the woman.

“When our officers arrived at the unit, they located a male actively attacking a female,” Const. Kevin Nebrija told reporters at the scene Wednesday. “At least one officer discharged their firearm, striking the male.”

He said the man and woman were the only two people inside the unit at the time of the shooting.

“It’s important to know that there is no threat to public safety as this is an isolated incident and there is no outstanding suspects,” Nebrija said.

No further details were immediately available.

Riea Salim, who lives on the Unionville Gardens condo complex, said she spoke with neighbours about the police interaction.

“Police told us to stay inside,” Salim said. “Police came in time, otherwise, because the man was trying to kill her.”

“I went to that part of the third floor and the area was cordoned off and the unit,” she added.

The ages of the man and woman have not been released and it’s unclear if or how the pair know one another.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7541, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

– With files from Jack Boland