Woman shot dead by police North York

TORONTO -  
A middle-aged woman was shot and killed in a confrontation with cops in North York Friday morning.

Toronto Police say they responded to a call about “a person with a knife” at 51 Wedgewood Dr., near Yonge St. and Cummer Ave., around 9:30 a.m.
The situation turned deadly soon after officers arrived, but it’s unclear what prompted the shooting.
Police couldn’t comment on the incident because it’s being probed by the province’s Special Investigations Unit.
And SIU spokesman Jasbir Brar would only say there was “an interaction” between an officer and the woman, identified as 52-year-old Sylvia Klibingaitis.
“As a result of the interaction, she sustained at least one firearm injury,” Brar said. “She was transported to Sunnybrook hospital, where she succumbed to those injuries.”
She was unable to provide further details about how the deadly encounter unfolded.
“We’re here probing the circumstances of (the officer’s) involvement and to ensure an independent and thorough, unbiased investigation is conducted,” Brar said.
The SIU, which probes all incidents of serious injury or death involving police officers, dispatched 10 investigators to the scene.
Brar said one subject officer and one witness officer have been designated.
“We’re continuing to collect forensic evidence, as well as speak to any witnesses,” she said.
It’s suspected there was some sort of dispute at the residence before officers arrived — possibly between the alleged knife-wielding woman and her mother, Dzeja Klibingaitis, both of whom lived in the home.
Brar confirmed Sylvia Klibingaitis was hit at least once, but neighbours said they heard as many as three shots.
It’s believed the home where the incident occurred also has several tenants.
The street remained cordoned off with yellow police tape as cops and SIU investigators gathered evidence.
Area residents were stunned to see their normally quiet neighbourhood teeming with police cruisers.
“It’s very troubling,” said one man, who didn’t give his name.
Woman shot dead by police North York |