Police watchdog launches investigation amid fatal shooting at Toronto Pearson airport

​​​​​​​HAMILTON, Canada

Ontario's police watchdog launched an investigation after a man was fatally shot by police at Toronto Pearson International Airport early Thursday.

Police said they were called around 7 a.m. local (1100GMT) about a man in "distress" sitting inside a vehicle in the departures area.

"Officers located the man and early information received indicates he produced a firearm. Two officers discharged their firearms at the man. The man was pronounced deceased at the scene this morning," said a statement by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which investigates police actions that result in death or serious injury.

The SIU, which is handling the case, also stated that "no police officers were injured and there is no known threat to the public."

The watchdog noted that six investigators and three forensic experts have been assigned to the case, and asked anyone with photos, videos or information to contact the agency.

Peel Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah told reporters that "this appears to be an isolated incident." He added said officers tried to de-escalate the situation before the shooting.

The shooting disrupted access to the Terminal 1 departures area, but the airport wrote on X that "flights at Toronto Pearson continue to operate normally at this time."

"Please use the roadway to Terminal 1 Arrivals as the roadway to the Terminal 1 Departures remains closed for a Peel Police investigation. The parking garage in Terminal 1 remains open. Police say this is an isolated incident and there are no known threats to public safety," it said, adding that travelers can also park at Terminal 3 or Viscount Station and take the train to Terminal 1.

No further details about the person killed were disclosed, but officials said the investigation is ongoing.