Man Carrying Rifle Near Toronto School Now Deceased After Confrontation With Police
Several nearby schools were placed in lockdown.
Toronto Police have confirmed that an individual is now dead after officers responded to reports of a man carrying a rifle near a Scarborough school this afternoon, and an SIU investigation is underway.
According to a tweet posted at 1:35 p.m., police received reports of "a man walking on the street carrying a rifle" at 12:57 p.m. on Thursday, May 26 near Maberley Crescent and Oxhorn Road.
PERSON WITH A GUN:
Maberley Cres + Oxhorn Rd
12:57
- Reports of a man walking on the street carrying a rifle
- Nearby school in lockdown
- Desc as male, late teens early 20s, white ball hat, 3/4 length coat
- Officers on scene#GO989882
^lb
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) May 26, 2022
Toronto Police Chief James Ramer told reporters that "officers immediately responded and as a precaution, a nearby school went into lockdown."
Ramer said police were "confronted by an individual and because of the circumstances that followed are now the subject of an SIU investigation."
Due to the investigation, Ramer said he is "prohibited" from discussing what occurred. However, according to a tweet posted at 1:47 p.m., police located the suspect, and a police firearm was discharged.
Police had described the suspect as a male in his late teens to early 20s wearing a white "ball hat" and "3/4 length coat."
Ramer said "people were paying attention today," from 911 callers to "people flagging down officers that were attending to the area," which allowed for an "immediate response."
PERSON WITH A GUN: UPDATE
Maberley Cres + Oxhorn Rd
- Officers located man
- Police firearm discharged
- Suspect injured@TorontoMedics on scene
^lb
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) May 26, 2022
In a follow-up tweet, police confirmed that there is no "wider threat to public safety," and Ramer echoed this message while addressing the press.
PERSON WITH A GUN: UPDATE
Maberley Cres + Oxhorn Rd
- There is no wider threat to public safety
- William Davis Jr. School - is no longer in lockdown
- Parents can pick-up children at the school
^lb
— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) May 26, 2022
Several schools in the nearby area were placed on lockdown and hold and secure, according to a tweet from The Toronto District School Board at 1:28 p.m.
William G Davis JPS, Joseph Howe SPS, Charlottetown JPS and Sir Oliver Mowat CI are currently in lockdown as a result of a police investigation in the area.
"William G Davis JPS, Joseph Howe SPS, Charlottetown JPS and Sir Oliver Mowat CI are currently in lockdown as a result of a police investigation in the area," reads the tweet.
In a follow-up tweet at 2 p.m., TDSB confirmed that "Charlottetown JPS & Centennial Road JPS" were placed in "Hold & Secure due to ongoing police investigation in the area."
UPDATE: ALL Lockdowns and Hold & Secures have now been lifted with with the exception of William G Davis JPS, which remains in Hold & Secure to ensure an orderly dismissal at the end of the day. https://t.co/mj1vU5pCCN
— Toronto District School Board (@tdsb) May 26, 2022
All school lockdowns were lifted with the exception of William G Davis JPS, according to a tweet from TDSB posted at 2:48 p.m.
UPDATE: ALL Lockdowns and Hold & Secures have now been lifted with with the exception of William G Davis JPS, which remains in Hold & Secure to ensure an orderly dismissal at the end of the day. https://t.co/mj1vU5pCCN
— Toronto District School Board (@tdsb) May 26, 2022
The hold and secure at William G Davis was lifted as of 3:24 p.m., according to a tweet.
President of the Toronto Police Association John Reid confirmed that no civilians or officers were hurt. However, two officers were sent to the hospital to be attended to before returning to the station.