Man shot by police in Winnipeg skywalk charged with assault, weapon possession

Five charges of assault with a weapon have been laid against a man who witnesses say was screaming and carrying a type of spear when he was shot by police in a Winnipeg skywalk earlier this week.

Joshua Pardy, 25, is also charged withpossessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

On Monday around noon, apolice instructorspecializingin use-of-force training techniques was on lunch break in the skywalk which crosses above Garry Street and is linked to the police headquarters when he spottedPardyacting strangely in a Subway restaurant, CBC News has learned.

More officers were called and they approached Pardy, who began arguing with them, say witnesses.

• 'It was utter chaos': Witnesses describe moments before police shot man

He then kicked open the door toan optometrist's office, continuing to swearand wavearound a weapon described by witnesses and police Chief Danny Smythas a metre-long metal bar with scissors duct taped to the end.

"Nothing surprises me that can be functioning as a weapon these days but that was a unique one," Smyth said on Friday.

• Downtown BIZ to increase patrols in Winnipeg skywalks in wake of shooting
• Police officer shoots man in downtown skywalk

Despite numerous orders from police to drop his weapon, Pardy refused, witnesses said.

Hewas shot around 12:20 and fell to the floor in the optometrist's office, but witnesses say he continued to swear and struggle.

Pardy was taken to hospital after the shooting in unstable condition and later upgraded to stable. Police waited until he was released to lay the charges.

The Independent Investigation Unit is investigating the shooting, as is standard operating procedure for all serious incidents involving an officer in Manitoba.