A 17-year-old has been killed following a shoot-out with four police officers who were responding to an ongoing break-and-enter in Aurora, prompting an investigation by Ontario’s special investigations unit.
According to the SIU, the incident occurred outside a residence on Downey Circle, located near St. John’s Sideroad and Bayview Avenue, just before 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening.
Police received a report of a break-in in the area from an individual around 7:45 p.m.
“Soon after officers arrived at the scene from York Regional Police, there was an exchange of gunfire between the 17-year-old male and four police officers,” said SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon on Thursday.
The SIU reported that the teen was hit with gun shots multiple times before being pronounced dead at the scene.
There was also a police officer who was taken to the hospital after sustaining multiple minor injuries.
“The male was struck multiple times and pronounced deceased at the scene. One officer suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment,” she said, however, Hudon did not provide the specific location of the gunfight.
The SIU has not yet confirmed if the teen in question was local to the area.
“We have a number of witnesses to keep interviewing,” Hudon told reporters.
Additionally, the investigations unit has not yet been able to confirm who made the break-and-enter call to the police.
“We are in the early hours of the investigation and there is a lot to still determine,” she said.
However, the four officers involved in the shoot-out have been identified as well as five witness officers.
A large police presence remained in the area for several hours following the shooting and both the SIU and York police are requesting for information or video from the public that could assist in the investigation.
Five SIU investigators and three forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.
The SIU is an agency which is at an arm’s length from police that is called to investigate situations involving police and the death of an individual, a serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault.
Those with information can contact Canadian Crime Stoppers Association’s toll-free number is 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also submit a tip online.
