The Special Investigations Unit is called after a lengthy incident with Hamilton police and a barricaded man Friday on聽Princess Street, west of Sherman Avenue.聽
The Special Investigations Unit is called after a lengthy incident with Hamilton police and a barricaded man Friday on聽Princess Street, west of Sherman Avenue.聽
Ontario鈥檚 police watchdog is investigating the death of a 62-year-old man, found dead after
In a press release Saturday, the Special Investigations Unit said 鈥渁 person in crisis鈥 contacted police at approximately 7:30 a.m., Friday.聽
The man said he had 鈥渆xplosive devices鈥 and demanded a negotiator come to his residence in the area of Barton Street East and Sherman Avenue North, the release said.
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Police contained the residence and 鈥渘egotiations took place throughout the day,鈥 the release said. In the late afternoon a drone was sent into the home and it 鈥渞evealed the man lying on the floor, with blood visible around him.鈥
The 62-year-old man was pronounced dead. Two investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case by the SIU.聽
SIU investigators have been tasked with looking into the 鈥渃ircumstances surrounding鈥 the man’s death, they said in the Saturday morning release.
The SIU is an arm鈥檚-length agency that investigates incidents involving police in Ontario where someone is seriously hurt or killed.
Hamilton police Const. Trevor McKenna previously told the Spectator, police had been called to Princess Street, west of Sherman Avenue North shortly before 7:30 a.m., for reports of a shot fired. The shooting had not been confirmed by police.
Police had contained the area, which is industrial 鈥 Princess Street becomes a dead end before Lottridge Street 鈥 on Friday.
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In a press release Friday, police said they had deployed crisis negotiators who were maintaining an 鈥渙pen and ongoing dialogue鈥 with the barricaded individual. Alongside negotiators, police said tactical officers, members of the K9 unit and patrol officers were on scene.
In a press release late Friday, police announced the SIU had invoked its mandate and is now leading the investigation. Police said they are unable to provide further details, in accordance with provincial legislation and direct any further inquires to the SIU.
The public had previously been asked to avoid the area, but in the Friday evening release, police said there will be an ongoing police presence in the area throughout the weekend, as the scene is held in accordance with SIU protocols.
Police said Princess Street remains open, but the public may notice an increased police presence.
The SIU is asking anyone who may have information about the investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-5929 or online at .
MC
Mac Christie聽is a general assignment reporter with the Hamilton
Spectator. Reach him at macchristie@thespec.com.
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