Video shows Toronto police opening fire during traffic stop, SIU investigating
Ontario's police watchdog says 1 person is in life-threatening condition, officers not injured
A person is in life-threatening condition after two police officers fired their guns during a traffic stop in North York Sunday night, Ontario's police watchdog says — an incident captured in surveillance footage.
The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has invoked their mandate and said police informed them officers were shot at in an "exchange of gunfire."
"That's what Toronto police have told us. However, I am unable to confirm at this time, simply because it's just too early," SIU spokesperson Kristy Denette told reporters Monday, adding they are in the process of obtaining body camera footage from the officers along with footage taken from inside a police vehicle.
The SIU confirmed the person, a male whose age and identity have yet to be determined, was struck by gunfire and taken to hospital where he remained in life-threatening condition Monday morning. The police watchdog also confirmed no officers were injured.
Surveillance video obtained by CBC Toronto appears to capture the moment gunfire erupts, though it's unclear from the video who fired the first shot.
In it, the suspect vehicle appears to be boxed in between two police SUVs.
It appears that one officer is on the road next to the driver's window before something happens that sends the officer scrambling to take cover in front of the car's hood.
From that position, one of the officers reaches up and fires into the car at least three times while another officer, whose uniform is more visible, pulls out their gun and aims into the car.
WATCH | Surveillance footage captures shooting, shows others at scene running for cover:
The footage also shows three other people at the scene. Two of them run to hide behind a police cruiser as shots are fired, while another crouches for cover by the sidewalk.
Before the shooting began, one of the individuals was standing by the back of a police cruiser, while the two others stood by the car that was pulled over along with the second officer, the video shows.
The SIU said there were six people in the car that was pulled over, along with other witnesses in the area at the time of the incident.
Other images from the scene show the vehicle, a red Infiniti, riddled with multiple bullet holes.
The incident happened around 10:50 p.m. on Sunday near Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue W., Toronto police said Sunday.
Police say they pulled over the vehicle because it did not have a front license plate, according to the SIU.
Investigators believe there may still be a gun inside that vehicle but they have yet to access it as they wait to get a search warrant, while Toronto police are conducting their own parallel investigation, the police watchdog said.
The SIU is an independent agency that investigates the conduct of police officers in incidents across Ontario that may have resulted in death, serious injury, the discharge of a firearm or allegations of sexual assault.
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With files from Greg Ross