A machete-wielding man is dead after he threatened two Winnipeg police officers during a confrontation on a city street.
Police said the 28-year-old man died in hospital after he was critically wounded late Saturday evening near an intersection in a north-central neighbourhood. The shooting occurred just minutes after he had allegedly threatened another male during a verbal argument outside a residence just a few blocks away.
Const. Jacqueline Chaput, a police spokeswoman, said they were notified about the fight and two officers located the armed man soon after. She said he was immediately confrontational with the officers when they approached him.
"He was advancing toward them in a threatening manner and refused to comply with a request to disarm. They had to discharge their firearm," she said.
No one else was injured. The name of the man has not been released but Const. Chaput said he is known to police.
It was not immediately known whether both officers discharged their guns or how many shots were fired. The officers have been placed on administrative leave and counselling is being made available to them.
Police are interviewing several witnesses to the shooting. Const. Chaput said investigators will look at factors such as the distance between the officers and the man when the shooting erupted, and what the officers' options may have been.
"The cirstumances are definitely going to be investigated in detail."
She also said it will be up to the Crown to determine which outside agency will review the shooting, once the police investigation is completed.