Alleged crime spree leads to police-involved shooting of 48-year-old man

The SIU is investigating a police shooting death of a 48-year-old man near Port Elgin over the weekend.

Investigators with Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) spent the weekend combing a large crime scene following the shooting death of a 48-year-old man outside a residence near Port Elgin Saturday afternoon.

An SIU news release claimed the man shot by police was allegedly at the centre of a large crime spree on Saturday, which involved multiple motor vehicle thefts and residential break-ins across Huron and Bruce Counties.

One of those thefts involved a gun being stolen, say officials.

While it’s not been confirmed by the SIU or South Bruce OPP, it is believed that a car crash in downtown Port Elgin involving more than five vehicles being heavily damaged may have been connected to this case as well.

Witnesses says they have heard of an assault involving a knife and another assault of a taxicab driver in Port Elgin on Saturday as well, which may have been connected.

The SIU says police ultimately located the suspect driving a stolen vehicle Saturday afternoon.

They used a tire deflation device to stop the vehicle, but the man fled on foot. With the help of the OPP Emergency Response Team and Canine Unit, the suspect was located near Bruce-Saugeen Townline and Sideroad 13, near the community of North Bruce, which is just south of Port Elgin.

Police closed roads, covering a large area south of Port Elgin as they searched for the suspect.

Once they did locate him, the SIU said there was “an interaction” between police and the suspect where an officer fired his gun, hitting the suspect. He later died in hospital.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online.