Sret du Qubec probe role of stun gun in fatal police shooting

Quebec provincial police are investigating whya stun gun and a firearm were used in an intervention Monday that led to the death of a 63-year-old man.

AndrBenjamin, 63,was pronounced dead in hospitalafterpolice were calledearlier in the dayat an apartment inHochelaga-Maisonneuve.

TheSretduQubecsaidastun gun was deployed by an officer and thatBenjamin was also struck by at least one bullet.

"At this point,it would be irresponsible to come up to a conclusion on ifit [the stun gun]did not work, or if there is a problem,or exactly what happened," Sgt. JasonAllardtold CBC Montreal's Daybreak onTuesday.

"I think as we go through the investigation we'll have a lot more details that will follow."

• Man, 63, dies after being shot by Montreal police in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve
• Quebec's independent investigation unit beset by delays

Allard said that Montreal police officers were called to the apartment block to check on someone in psychological distress. Benjamin had a knife, he said.

Allard wouldn't go into details about what transpired next, saying they are still interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence.

Montreal police haven'tcommented on the incident since it was handed over to theSQ.

Under Quebec law, any police intervention where a weaponis discharged or someone is hurt must be investigated by apolice force that was not involved in the intervention.

The provincial government voted three years ago to create anindependent bureau of investigation, but it is still not operational.