However, just as Ross began making his way toward the second officer, two more officers in marked police SUVs arrived, exiting their cars and drawing their weapons, a rifle and a shotgun, it continued.

When Ross ignored their calls to drop his weapon and changed course with his gun raised, both officers opened fire and Ross fell to the ground, the document stated.

Only two minutes after the first officer arrived on scene, Ross was being rushed to hospital.

He died at Sunnybrook Hospital at 2:41 a.m. the following day.

The SIU also found Ross’ pellet gun had been painted black and “made to look like an authentic gun”.

“When the man neared the officers’ position, ‘gun’ pointed in their direction, they had every reason to believe their lives were in imminent risk,” said Loparco, who noted they only shot when Ross came within a car’s length.

Although the name of the victim was withheld by the SIU in its report, the Toronto Star named Ross in a report, invoking public interest in a police shooting.

The SIU has stated it recently changed its policy on naming victims to respect the wishes of families.

Also, the unit does not release the name of the subject officer unless the officer is charged.

York Regional Police chose not to comment on the matter.

Ross has been described as a creative young person who played trumpet in the jazz band at Aurora High School and later worked with his father as a labourer in the entertainment industry and as a member of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees 873.

The Ross family lawyer, Richard Macklin, said the family would not comment on the SIU’s findings and is requesting privacy in the matter.

Although York Regional Police wouldn’t comment on the SIU investigation, findings or if any mental health issues were behind the incident, the force did say a review of the case will take place and depending on the outcome, its training and education bureau may complete follow-up training for subject officers.

— with files from Torstar News Service