A man taken to hospital after gunfire in Saskatoon’s downtown Wednesday was shot by police, the police service has confirmed.
Acting Chief Mark Chatterbok told media Thursday the 34-year-old man was shot in the shoulder after officers’ attempts to take him down with Tasers and beanbag guns were unsuccessful.
Officers who were responding to a report of a man breaking a vehicle’s window on the 200 block of Fourth Avenue South spotted the man armed with a weapon in an alley shortly after 3 p.m. Wednesday. The weapon has since been identified as an “improvised firearm,” according to Chatterbok.
The man refused to acknowledge officers’ commands and the incident moved from the alley and onto Fourth Avenue. Police fired Tasers and beanbag rounds, but were unable to apprehend the man.
The suspect then fired at police, and officers fired back with beanbag rounds, according to a police news release.
He suffered the gunshot wound after police shot him as he ran toward 20th Street. He was also bit by a police dog.
Police say his injuries are not life-threatening.
The man is still in hospital receiving treatment, and has not yet been interviewed by officers. He will be charged with possession of a weapon dangerous to the public and careless use of a firearm, and could face more charges, according to police.
No officers were injured in the incident.
