Police tape marks a crime scene in this file photo.JOHN LEHMANN
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a man was shot outside a Wal-Mart in Toronto's northeast end Thursday.
The SIU said in a release that Toronto Police officers responded to a report of a man with a knife at the rear of the Wal-Mart store at Agincourt Mall in Scarborough, at Kennedy Road and Sheppard Avenue.
After police arrived at the scene and located the man, there was "an interaction between the police and the man resulting in the man being shot," the SIU stated. It said the man, who is 40 years old, has been transported to Sunnybrook Hospital for treatment for gunshot wounds.
Toronto Paramedic Services say they were called around 4:30 p.m. to the Scarborough mall to treat the patient, who is in life-threatening condition.
A large section of the parking lot behind the Wal-Mart was warded off during the evening as the SIU investigated the scene. Multiple Forensic Investigations Services vehicles were on scene as well.
Employees at the Wal-Mart location said the victim is a co-worker. But Andrew Pelletier, vice-president of corporate affairs at Wal-Mart Canada, would not confirm this.
"Any details really need to come from the police who are investigating this matter. We don't want to do anything to compromise their investigation," he said.
Mr. Pelletier said Wal-Mart Canada became aware of the incident when contacted by the local branch.
"At Wal-Mart, safety is always our top concern. This matter is currently being investigated by the police and SIU and we are cooperating fully with their investigation," he said.
Toronto Police declined to comment.