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Man shot by police after failed taser attempt

The Canadian Press

August 2, 2008 at 11:09 PM EDT Globe and Mail

WINNIPEG — Police shot and killed a man with a knife early Saturday morning after an attempt to subdue the suspect with a taser failed.

Officers responded to a call for help at a home in the city's west end and found the 26-year-old man holding the weapon, said Winnipeg police Constable Jacqueline Chaput.

“They did try to have him comply with demands to drop the knife,” Constable Chaput said.

When the man refused, Constable Chaput said officers attempted to use a taser, but were unsuccessful. That's when the man was shot.

The man was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he died from his injuries.

Constable Chaput said it was too early in the investigation to determine if the taser did not deploy properly or if it did not work on the man for some other reason.

Constable Chaput would not confirm how many gunshots the officers fired.

Some area residents heard yelling on the street about an hour before the shooting.

Brittney Ramsey, who lives near the home where the shooting happened, heard about five or six gunshots

“It scared me because it was so loud,” she said.

Ms. Ramsey looked out her window and saw a female officer pointing a gun at the door of the home while shouting at two occupants to open up.

More officers arrived and pulled the front door open, taking two people into two separate patrol cars, said Ms. Ramsey.

Paramedics also responded and went to the back of the house, returning with a man they put on a gurney.

“I saw them doing chest compressions on the person,” said Ms. Ramsey.

Constable Chaput said at least two officers have been placed on administrative leave while the incident is being investigated.