Mississauga Police Shooting: Officer Narrowly Escapes Headshot in Fatal Exchange
A Peel Regional Police officer narrowly avoided a fatal headshot during a deadly exchange of gunfire early Saturday morning in Mississauga, according to authorities. The province's Special Investigations Unit has taken over the investigation into the incident that left a 44-year-old man dead.
Close Call for Officer
Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrew revealed to the Toronto Sun that the responding officer "got lucky" during the confrontation. "The bullet went through the top of the officer's baseball cap," Andrew explained, emphasizing how close the officer came to sustaining a potentially fatal injury.
The shooting occurred in the Dundas Street and Fifth Line area near Erin Mills Parkway shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026. Police confirmed that officers were unharmed and no other suspects were involved in the incident.
Domestic Complaint Escalates
According to the Special Investigations Unit, the situation began when a woman contacted police at approximately 12:30 a.m. to report a domestic-related incident. She informed authorities that her husband had left their home on foot while carrying a firearm.
Officers were dispatched to the scene and located the man in the area of Perran Drive and Paula Court, near the intersection of Erin Mills Parkway and Dundas Street West. "In front of a residence on Fifth Line West, there was an exchange of gunfire between the man and four police officers," the SIU stated in an official news release.
Investigation Underway
The SIU confirmed that the 44-year-old man was struck multiple times during the exchange and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The police watchdog has assigned five investigators and three forensic investigators to the case.
Neighbors reported that the original call was made to police for a domestic complaint, which escalated into a chase and ultimately resulted in the exchange of gunfire between the suspect and responding officers. At the scene, evidence markers were visible on the ground in the residential area where the shooting occurred.
Call for Information
The Special Investigations Unit is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. This includes individuals who may have witnessed the events or captured video or photographic evidence. The SIU has provided contact information for their lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or through their online portal at siu.on.ca.
As the investigation continues, authorities are examining the circumstances that led to the fatal confrontation. The SIU routinely investigates incidents involving police that result in death, serious injury, or allegations of sexual assault, ensuring independent oversight of law enforcement actions.
