Police tape marks a crime scene in this file photo.JOHN LEHMANN
A 40-year-old man remains in critical but stable condition the morning after a police shooting in Toronto outside the Wal-Mart store where he worked at Agincourt Mall.
Ontario's Special Investigations Unit, which is handling the investigation, said the man had a knife near the loading docks at the rear of the Wal-Mart store, located at Kennedy Road and Sheppard Avenue, at the time of the incident.
The SIU's mandate is to investigate reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.
It assigned eight investigators and three forensic investigators to probe the circumstances of the incident. A large section of the parking lot behind the Scarborough mall was cordoned off throughout Thursday evening.
Toronto Police responded to a report that the man was carrying a knife outside the mall at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday. Police arrived on scene after receiving a call that the man was cutting his own wrists and throat with a large butcher knife, according to the Toronto Star. The SIU would not confirm this, saying the matter is under investigation.
The SIU stated that after police located the man, "there was an interaction between the police and the man resulting in the man being shot." The man suffered two gunshot wounds to the abdomen, according to CTV, which reported that witnesses heard three shots.
He was then transported to Sunnybrook Hospital for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds, and listed in life-threatening condition, according to Toronto Paramedic Services.
The man remained "in critical but stable condition" on Friday morning, according to an e-mail from an SIU spokesperson who confirmed the man worked at the Wal-Mart branch.
Wal-Mart Canada issued a statement Friday afternoon, also confirming that the man is a current Wal-Mart employee.
"Obviously our deepest thoughts are with him and his family during this very difficult time following this tragic incident," said Andrew Pelletier, vice-president of corporate affairs. "We are hoping that his condition will continue to improve, and we are all hoping for the very best."
Mr. Pelletier said Wal-Mart is co-operating with the SIU's investigation.
The SIU is appealing for witnesses who may have information about the incident to contact the lead investigator at 416-622-1965.