SIU not naming 32-year-old man killed in Burlington shootout

Ontario’s police watchdog says it will not be releasing the name of the 32-year-old man killed in a shootout with police in a Burlington gas station this past weekend.

The man, who is from Scarborough, was killed and two Halton police officers were wounded inside the Esso at the corner of Harvester Road and Appleby Line around 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

“The investigation is ongoing, and there are no further updates at this time,” Special Investigations Unit spokesperson Monica Hudon said.

“At the request of family, and in accordance with our name release policy, the SIU will not be releasing the man’s name.”

The fatal shooting happened after police were called to the gas station for a suspicious male barricaded in the bathroom.

It’s believed the man had fled from a crash on Highway 403 shortly before and OPP were searching for him.

Four Halton officers and one OPP officers were on scene when the man exited the bathroom and “gunfire was exchanged.” The two Halton officers who were hit suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to recover.

Halton police said one of the two injured officers has been released from hospital, with the second expected to be released in the coming days.

The shooting sparked an outpouring of online support and well wishes for the officers, leading to police thanking the public for their concern and support.

“The outpouring of support and concern for all of the men and women who serve the community of Halton has been overwhelming. Please know that we hear you, and we can’t thank you enough,” Chief Stephen Tanner said in a statement.

The SIU is an arm’s length agency that investigates incidents involving police in Ontario where someone is seriously injured, killed or there is an allegation of sexual assault.

Anyone with information related to the shooting is asked to call the SIU at 1-800787-8529.