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The 24-year-old man shot by Winnipeg police Friday was depressed after his girlfriend broke up with him earlier in the week, a friend said Saturday.

INSTAGRAM Mark DiCesare

And Winnipeg police said five officers "directly involved" with the death of Mark DiCesare are off work and being questioned by the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba.

John, who didn’t want his last name used, said DiCesare was one of his son’s best friends, adding in recent days DiCesare was "really, really down.

"He loved this girl. He would tell me this is the girl he will marry.

"He was hurt so hard."

But John said the relationship ended last week after Mark "took $100 of her tip money out of her jar.

"He said she went ballistic and kicked him out. He was just devastated. I can’t see him going to shoot anyone.

"My whole family is devastated. He was just the nicest guy."

On Friday, DiCesare was hit by a hail of bullets in the grassy field at Grant Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard at about 1:15 p.m., after leading police on a chase through River Heights.

DiCesare was treated at the scene and rushed to hospital, but he was pronounced dead of his injuries.

During a news conference Saturday, Winnipeg police Deputy Police Chief Danny Smyth said while 25 officers were at the incident, boxing in the car driven by DiCesare, so far five officers who were "directly involved" are the focus of the probe by the investigation unit.

"They were involved in lethal force," Smyth said.

Smyth said as the unit’s investigation continues, more officers could be found to be directly involved.

Smyth said there were 19 police cruisers guarding the scene Saturday while forensic officers gather evidence.

DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The scene of Friday's fatal police shooting at the corner of Grant Avenue and Kenaston Boulevard.

The deputy chief confirmed DiCesare was the name of the man and he is from Winnipeg.

Smyth would not say how many shots were fired in total or whether a gun was seen by officers before or during the confrontation because it is part of the independent investigation.

He said the five officers would not be returning to work until after they had been ruled fit by a psychologist. The officers involved are receiving support from the service’s behavioural health unit.

Smythe said the incident began at about 12:20 p.m., when a police officer spotted DiCesare exhibiting "erratic behaviour" while driving his car.

He said a chase began at Waverley Street and Taylor Avenue until culminating at Kapyong Barracks.

Smyth said officers engaged DiCesare for about 20 minutes.

"It ended when Mr. DiCesare took action and officers responded with lethal force."

Several bullet holes could be seen in the side of the white Audi sedan DiCesare was driving.

John said neither he nor his family had ever seen DiCesare with a gun, and, "I know he didn’t have a gun himself."

John said DiCesare, who went back and forth between working in the Alberta oilfields for a few weeks and then living in Winnipeg for two weeks, had only bought the car last month.

"He bought a new truck for $50,000, but then sold it for $20,000 so he could get this new Audi," John said. "He said the car was his life’s dream."

John called DiCesare one of the friendliest guys he had ever met and gave him a hug when he last saw him Wednesday.

"He was an angel. He was the kindest guy you could ever meet. He also worked out. He had a six-pack. My son and I both said it would have taken a lot of bullets to take him down."

And John said DiCesare had never been in trouble with the law.

"He didn’t even run a red light. He has never been arrested.

"He was just so young."

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca