Man fatally shot by Regina police was suspect in homicide investigation: SIRT

WATCH: According to the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team, a fatal Regina police shooting involved a homicide suspect. Mick Favel reports.

A 29-year-old man fatally shot by a Regina police officer on July 18 was a suspect in an ongoing homicide investigation, according to Saskatchewan’s civilian police watchdog investigating the incident.

More details released by the Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) on Tuesday say that during the morning of July 18, Regina police plainclothes officers were conducting a homicide investigation when they spotted the 29-year-old man shortly after 10 a.m. on a bicycle.

The man was identified as a suspect wanted in connection with the ongoing investigation. Additional officers were called to assist with relocating the man who was then found around 10:12 a.m. in an alley between Garnet Street and Athol Street, north of 8th Avenue, a news release said.

According to SIRT, two plainclothes officers exited from separate unmarked vehicles and a confrontation took place. During the confrontation, officers issued verbal commands before one of the officers fired a single round from their service pistol, striking the man, SIRT said.

Police immediately called EMS who arrived at 10:17 a.m. The man was pronounced dead at around 10:19 a.m., the release said.

SIRT said its team of investigators recovered a replica firearm from the scene.

It has been seized as an exhibit in the agency’s investigation. SIRT did not clarify if the suspect was in possession of the replica firearm when he was shot by police.

• SIRT investigating fatal police officer involved shooting in Regina

“SIRT’s investigation will examine the conduct of police during this incident, including the circumstances surrounding the male’s death. RPS will maintain responsibility for the investigation that brought police into contact with the individual,” the release said.

SIRT is asking anyone who witnessed or may have video of the incident to contact the agency.

No additional information will be released at this time, with SIRT saying a final report will be issued within 90 days of the investigation’s conclusion.

Those who knew the man have set up a memorial where he died.

Anthony Taylor said his friend, who he identified as Sage, was someone who wanted to help people.

“He wanted to help people he wanted to help kids, he even wanted to start his own little thing with building bikes,” Taylor said.

-With files from Mick Favel