SIU seeks possible witness to fatal Windsor police shooting

Ontario's civilian police watchdog is looking for people who may have witnessed Windsor police fatally shoot a 57-year-old man.

TheSpecial Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the incident, which occurred on Sept. 6.

"After a review of surveillance footage, investigators are seeking to identify the occupant(s) of a grey sedan as they are believed to have witnessed the police interaction and the events leading up to it," the SIU said in a news release issued Friday.

The vehicle is believed to be a Ford Fusion with chrome trim, and it was parked outside the Food Basics across the street from TheBeer Store at around 10:30.

The Windsor Police Service said on Sept. 6 that officers had been called to Goyeau Street near the Beer Store in downtown Windsor at around 10:30 a.m. due to reports of a person with a weapon.

There was an interaction between officers and the victim, Jason West, when they arrived on scene, according to the SIU.

It's unclear how many shots were fired, but the SIU said two officers discharged their weapons, and two knives were also involved in the incident.

West was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The SIU investigates cases where police are involved in adeath, serious injury or sexual assault of a person, or if an officer discharges a firearm at a person.

West was one of six Indigenous people killed by police in a span of two weeks, prompting an emergency debate in Parliament on Sept. 16 focused on Indigenous people's safety.