Suspect with an axe shot and killed by Sudbury, Ont., police Friday morning

Playing null of undefined

SIU probes fatal Sudbury police shooting of axe-wielding man

SIU investigates fatal incident in Sudbury

Greater Sudbury police say a break-and-enter suspect who was armed with an axe is dead after engaging with police early Friday morning.

The incident took place around 5:24 a.m. on Clinton Street in the city.

“Greater Sudbury Police Service officers responded to a report of a break-and-enter in progress,” police said in a news release.

“Police officers arrived in the area and engaged an armed individual who died during the interaction.”

Because someone died during an interaction with police, the province’s Special Investigations Unit “was contacted and has invoked their mandate.”

“The Greater Sudbury Police Service remains on scene.”

In a news release Friday afternoon, the SIU said preliminary reports said that at 5:30 a.m., police were dispatched to the area of Clinton Avenue and Queen Street to investigate a report of a break and enter in progress.

“Upon arrival, the officers encountered a man armed with an axe,” police said.

Man had an axe

“With the axe, the man made contact with one of the police cruisers. There was an interaction, and one officer discharged his firearm. The man was struck.”

He was then taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead, the SIU said.

Four investigators and three forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. One subject official and two witness officials have been designated.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online.