Downtown BIZ to increase patrols in Winnipeg skywalks in wake of shooting

Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is putting more patrols into the skywalk system to help people feel safe again, one dayafter a 25-year-old man was shot by police.

The BIZ, which works to improvethe perception of downtown by cleaning and advocating for improvements, called Monday'sshooting an isolated incident.

However, it recognizes that people will have been shaken by the incident so it will send out more goodwill patrols officially called Downtown Watch ambassadors.

The patrolsofferdirections, tourist info, first aid, and assistance but also act as the "eyes and ears" for the Winnipeg Police Service, according to the BIZ website.

Monday'sshooting happened just after noon in the public skywalkthatcrosses Garry Street at Graham Avenue, linking two buildings near the police headquarters.

The walkway is often used by police officers on their breaks or when they are walking to and from work. It was closed for many hours after the shooting but has since been reopened.

• Police officer shoots man in downtown skywalk

Police Chief Danny Smythdescribed the incident as a "confrontation" but didn't release any other details about what led to an officer firing his gun or where the man was hit.

The man was taken to hospital in unstable condition and has since improved to stable.

On Tuesday, police said they expect charges to be laid when the man is released from hospital.

The man's identity has not been made public, but several people have told CBC that he was a regular in the area and often seen at a temporary work agency located about a block away on Garry Street.

Police have said it wasn't known if theman was armed, but sources toldCBC News he was holding a stick with a knife taped to it and there was a lot of shouting before the shots were fired.

Another witness told CBC the man had been acting strangely.

Downtown safe: mayor

Monday's incident happened days after two gunpoint robberies in downtown Winnipeg.

• Man robbed at gunpoint at Portage and Main
• Man held at gunpoint near Vaughan Street and Portage Avenue

OnApril 22, a 22-year-old man was waiting for a bus on Vaughn Street near Portage Avenue when two other males robbed him.

One grabbed the man's personal property and the otherdemanded the man's money. When the man hesitated, one of the robbers pulled out a handgun and threatened the man.

On April 20,a man walking near the corner of Portage Avenue and Main Street was held up at gunpoint and robbed of money.

Despite the robberiesand the shooting on Monday, Mayor Brian Bowman said downtown Winnipeg is safe.

"You just have to look at the crime rates, which are moving in the right direction when you look at the last five years," he said, adding the city is committed to making sure they continue going that way.

The most recent police budget "is the largest in the history of the City of Winnipeg, so that support is there," Bowman said, lauding the "hard work" of members of the force.

"The Winnipeg Police Service certainly has my confidence and that of council. They do very important, dangerous work on behalf of all of our citizens."

TheIndependent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) is looking into the incident and requesting anyone with information orvideo footage to contact them toll-free at1-844-667-6060.

The unitinvestigates all serious incidents involvingpolice officers in Manitoba.