Ontario's Special Investigations Unit is investigating the death of a 44-year-old man who was shot by Peel Regional Police officers in Mississauga early Saturday, after what began as a domestic call.

According to the SIU, a woman called police at about 12:30 a.m. on Feb. 28 to report a domestic incident and said her husband had left their home with a firearm. Officers found the man near Perran Drive and Paula Court.

The SIU says gunfire was then exchanged between the man and four officers in front of a home on Fifth Line West. He was hit several times and pronounced dead at the scene.

Four officers had discharged their firearms at the man, and the man was struck multiple times.

— Monica Hudon, SIU spokesperson

Two guns recovered, police say

Speaking at the scene, Peel police Const. Tyler Bell-Morena said two firearms were recovered: one used in the exchange with officers and another that the man had thrown away a short distance down the road. He said the man was known to police but would not go into his history out of respect for the family.

What I can say is that he's not authorized to own or possess firearms. So he's not a licensed firearms owner.

— Const. Tyler Bell-Morena, Peel Regional Police

No officers were hurt, police said, though Bell-Morena told reporters a bullet passed through one officer's cap. Police said there is no ongoing threat to the public.

What happens next

The SIU has assigned five investigators and three forensic investigators to the case. The agency said its investigators will look at police body-worn camera video and in-car cruiser footage, and will collect video from homes in the area.

The SIU is a civilian agency that investigates police conduct in cases involving death, serious injury, sexual assault or the firing of a gun at a person. At the end of an investigation, its director decides whether there are grounds to lay a criminal charge against an officer, and reports the outcome publicly.

Bell-Morena said the scene spans several streets in the subdivision and that a police presence would remain into Sunday. Residents were asked to avoid the area and any places closed off with police tape.

Anyone with information, video or photos is asked to contact the SIU's lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or through the appeals page on the agency's website.