The Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT) has started its investigation after a man allegedly armed with a gun was shot by police in Saint John.
Police said they received a report of a man armed with a gun causing property damage in the 100 block of Mecklenburg Street shortly after 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
“On arrival, an officer was confronted by the armed suspect who failed to comply with the officers’ commands,” police said in a news release on Thursday evening.
“As a result, the officer then discharged his firearm at the suspect and another officer also used force to stop the threat of violence towards themselves and the public.”
There was a vehicle parked on the street with a shattered back window and glass on the ground next to it.
Paramedics transported the 46-year-old suspect to the hospital, where he remained as of Thursday evening with what police described as non-life-threatening injuries.
No one else was injured during the incident, according to police.
The accused appeared in court Friday via telecommunications and was charged with 16 offences.
- one count of assaulting a peace officer with a firearm
- one count of obstructing a peace officer
- one count of use of a firearm while committing an offence
- four counts of pointing a firearm
- three counts of assault with a weapon
- one count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- one count of carrying a concealed weapon
- one count of possession of a firearm while prohibited
- two counts of mischief under $5,000
- one count of breach of a probation order
“Based on our understanding of the preliminary facts, both Saint John Police officers remain on active duty,” police said in an updated news release on Friday.
The police force directed all questions about the shooting to SiRT, which confirmed Friday morning that investigators are on the scene looking into the incident.
Interim director Erin Nauss could not provide any other details, including what sort of force was used by the second officer.
As for how long the investigation may take, Nauss said it all depends on the complexity of the scene.
Once investigators complete their work, a summary report will be released within three months if no charges, she said.
SiRT is an independent agency that investigates matters that involve death, serious injury, sexual assault and domestic violence or other matters of significant public interest that may have arisen from the actions of any police officer.
