The province’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating after a Toronto Police Service officer fired a less-lethal shotgun at a man in central Etobicoke.

The SIU said preliminary information suggests that about 10 a.m. on November 15, officers responded to West Mall Bloor Plaza at 290 The West Mall for a man in distress.

“There was an interaction, and one officer discharged a less-lethal shotgun at the man, striking him with sock rounds,” the SIU said in a news release. “Another officer discharged a conducted energy weapon (TASER) at the man.”

The SIU said the man was taken into custody under the Mental Health Act and brought to hospital.

One subject official and five witness officials have been designated at this time.

The SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged a less-lethal shotgun, which is classified as a firearm.

Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, a firearm is defined as a barreled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.

The SIU is called to probe police actions that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault, or the discharge of a firearm at a person.

All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilian, under the Special Investigations Unit Act.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information, including video or photos, in relation to this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or on the website at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php