Man dead after a shooting involving police in Haliburton

The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating a fatal police-involved shooting in Haliburton.

The incident reportedly began at a Valu-Mart grocery store off Highway 35 in Minden around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, following reports that a fight broke out after someone refused to wear a face covering.

The fight reportedly ended when a vehicle was driven into the store.

The SIU says Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were notified that a 73-year-old man had assaulted people at the store and left in a vehicle. An officer then saw the vehicle and followed it.

Based on the license plate, they made their way to a home approximately 40 km away on Indian Point Road near Eagle Lake.

At the time, the OPP said they were investigating a “serious criminal matter.”

The SIU says there was an interaction with the man outside the residence and two officers discharged their firearms.

The man was struck and taken to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Police said there is no concern for public safety.

The SIU says from the scene, a semi-automatic rifle and a pistol were collected. The firearms of two police officers were also secured.

As of Thursday, investigators have yet to be able to locate the man’s next-of-kin.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the SIU.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates reports involving police where there has been death, serious injury or allegations of sexual assault.