A man is dead following an incident in the Chemong Road and Towerhill Road area of Peterborough on Friday afternoon (August 11).
According to a media release issued by Peterborough police, at around 2:15 p.m. on Friday, a vehicle being driven erratically passed an officer who was on general patrol. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Parkhill Road East when the vehicle took off. A short pursuit ensued but was immediately discontinued for public safety.
A short time later, police received a call about a single motor vehicle collision in the Chemong Road and Towerhill Road area. Upon arrival, officers learned it was the same driver involved in the attempted traffic stop and that he had fled into the Peterborough Volkswagen dealership.
While inside the dealership, the man was involved in an interaction with an employee. Reports on social media that have not been confirmed by police claim the man was carrying a gun and that, when he was inside the dealership, he used the gun to strike and injure an employee.
Officers then “verbally engaged” with the man. Shortly thereafter, according to police, the man consumed a substance and “appeared to go into medical distress.” His vital signs were absent and officers administered first aid. The man was then transported to Peterborough Regional Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead.
There will be a police presence in the area of Chemong Road and Towerhill Road as police continue an investigation into the incident.
Wouldn’t have believed it if I had seen it with my own eyes. Vehicle was going at least 100 miles an hour on Chemong Rd., North missed at least a dozen vehicles in inches almost collided head on with a city bus failed to negotiate to turn and hit the telephone post.  the guy, then took off on foot as he was running up the grassy knoll he pulled out a handgun and headed towards Pboro Volkswagen.  Peterborough Volkswagen staff are all safe and apparently the police have the area cordoned off.
Posted by Barry Killen on Friday, August 11, 2023
Police say the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) has been contacted and has invoked its mandate.
The SIU is a civilian law enforcement agency, independent of the police, that conducts criminal investigations into circumstances involving police and civilians that have resulted in serious injury, death, or allegations of sexual assault.
Later on Friday, the SIU issued a media release indicating four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. 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 at siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php.
This story has been updated with additional details supplied by the SIU.
