TORONTO

A 29-year-old man who bolted from an east-end hospital was shot dead by Toronto police during a confrontation after he allegedly stabbed a store owner and then tried to steal a car, officers and area residents say.

The barefoot man was clad in a hospital gown and armed with two scissors when he was shot on Friday around 10:04 a.m. on Milverton Ave., in the Coxwell and Danforth Aves. area.

The man was spotted by residents outside Toronto East General Hospital, from where he went to R&S Convenience store, just behind the hospital at Sammon and Woodington and Aves.

Hospital officials refused to comment on the patient but said they are working with police.

The store was sealed off with police tape for hours on Friday as officers took a report from the long-time and popular owner, who customers said is the father of a small child.

“He (storekeeper) is all right,” said a friend, who rushed from the store.

“There was an altercation and he was cut with scissors.”

Police and residents believe the suspect continued south towards Milverton Ave., north of Danforth Ave. and east of Coxwell Ave., where he was confronted by police.

Area residents said the confrontation resulted as the man tried to steal a car and was spotted by the vehicle’s owner who called police.

The suspect, whose identity hasn’t been released, was shot three times in the chest and rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

A police officer suffered minor injuries after apparently falling down during the incident.

Residents said their quiet neighbourhood was rocked by the sounds of gunshots.

“I heard three loud noises and I thought it was a truck that backfired,” said Shiffaun Ishmail. “This is a very quiet area and it is very surprising.”

Student Sarah Steinke, 19, said she’s concerned by the incident.

“Its a little disturbing,” Steinke said. “This is the first time that we have had any kind of shooting around here.”

Franco Palladino, 74, said there’s rarely any police activity in the area.

“Young people today are different,” Palladino said. “This area is very quiet and I have never had any problems.”

The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the incident.

SIU spokesperson Monica Hudon said there was an interaction between Toronto Police officers and the man on Milverton Blvd.

“At some point, the man was fatally shot,” Hudon said. “He was

taken to St. Michael’s Hospital.”

She said 10 SIU investigators are probing the incident.