Winnipeg police shoot, kill man in Unicity parking lot after he stabbed officer
WARNING: This story details the violent events surrounding the fatal police shooting of a man in a Winnipeg shopping area.
Police shot and killed a man outside a bus shelter in a shopping area on the west side of Winnipeg on Sunday after they say he stabbed an officer in the throat.
The police officer, a senior member of the force, is in stable condition, according to police.
Video posted to social media shows police shooting a man as he stands beside a bus shelter in the west end Winnipeg parking lot.
"We are aware of videos online and we caution the public that they do not show the entire incident," acting police chief Art Stannard said at a news conference late Sunday evening.
"Our officers do not come to work to take a life. They come to work to serve and protect the community."
WATCH | Police say officer was stabbed in throat:
Stannard said he's concerned that videos circulating on social media only show "part of the interaction" and not what transpired before police opened fire.
Aerial drone footage shows the police and emergency response to the scene where police fatally shot a man after a Winnipeg officer was stabbed in the throat. (Deameon Hutchison)
He said the officers involved were in the area carrying out a "project" as part of the retail theft initiative.
Police say the man drew an edged weapon and was told to drop it multiple times. He didn't and police shot him, according to police.
"CPR was given to the injured male by police, including [to the] injured police officer," Stannard said. "They were both conveyed to hospital."
He said the suspect was pronounced dead and the officer is being treated for throat injuries and is expected to be released.
"I had the opportunity to go and see him when he was being treated. His wife was there — very emotional," Stannard said.
Two Winnipeg police officers stand outside a bus shelter with weapons raised, asking that the man inside it drop the edged weapon in his hand. (Alison Enehcruoc/Facebook)
Manitoba's police watchdog, the Independent Investigation Unit, was notified and has taken over the investigation.
Stannard said he would like the public to await judgment from the police watchdog before casting opinions on what happened.
Police placed several orange pylons inside the investigation area that was blocked off with police tape. (Ron Dhaliwal/CBC)
Jessica Esau was in her vehicle, waiting for a food order with her youngest child, when she saw police shoot the man.
"Scariest situation ever," Esau said via Facebook.
An estimated 30 police cars, multiple ambulances and at least one firetruck converged on an area near a bus shelter, according to other videos posted after 5:30 p.m., CT, on Sunday.
All emergency vehicles except a few police cars were gone by 6 p.m.
An area around the bus shelter was taped off by police, with several orange pylons placed inside the area.
