An investigation has been launched into the fatal shooting of a 30-year-old man by police outside Terminal 1 at Toronto’s Pearson Airport.
The incident occurred on the morning of April 24 after Peel Regional Police responded to reports of a “man in distress” during a dispute at the Terminal 1 departures level, police said.
The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) said it is now investigating the incident. Preliminary information suggests the shooting occurred before 7 a.m., SIU says.
Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah held a press conference at the airport later that morning.
“Our officers that responded went to the aid of security that was already here,” Duraiappah told reporters. “Our officers engaged in a discussion with a group of individuals that were experiencing a dispute. Our officers spent an amount of time trying to resolve the dispute, an immense amount of de-escalation and engagement with the parties.”
The man was armed with a gun, which he drew and pointed at police, Duraiappah said.
“There were three officers that responded as a result of that to protect themselves and the community and the passengers here at the airport,” Duraiappah said, adding that two officers discharged their firearms. “As a result, the subject was shot.”
The man was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
No police were injured in the incident, said SIU, which noted there was no threat to the public.
The two officers involved in the shooting are now part of the SIU investigation.
“Peel Regional Police absolutely is cooperating fully,” Duraiappah said. “We have body camera video, and obviously we’re at a place that has a lot of evidence and a lot of witnesses, all of which will be available to this special investigations unit.”
Heavy police presence was observed at the scene, with several Peel Regional Police vehicles parked along a section of the road outside Terminal 1’s departure area. In a nearby section, a grey Jeep Cherokee was spotted with its trunk open. Several white evidence markers were placed on the ground behind the SUV.
When asked by reporters whether police knew who owned the vehicle, Duraiappah said his team did not have that information at the time. “We believe the incident happened in proximity to the vehicle,” he added.
Pressed about the nature of the dispute, Duraiappah said he wasn’t aware of the details but could “only assume that the nature of any dispute is some sort of crisis.” The chief didn’t offer further details but said the involved individuals “were here for the purposes of travelling.”
“We will provide further updates at a later point,” he added.
The parking garage in Terminal 1 remains open and travellers can also park at Terminal 3 or the Viscount Station Kiss and Fly lots and then take the train to Terminal 1, the post said.
