Oakville shooting victim identified

<Update>

We now know the identity of the 22-year old man who was shot and killed by Halton police Sunday night in Oakville. Family and friends of Alex Tughan are mourning his loss and are questioning why lethal force was necessary. Cindy Csordas has more on this death that’s now being investigated by the Special Investigations Unit.

Witnesses tell CHCH News that 22-year old Alex Tughan was sitting in his car with a gun to his head and when he got out of the car he waved the gun around. Police then opened fire.

Friends describe Alex Tughan as a man who worked hard. He had three jobs. He loved to snowboard and skateboard. He had a good family and lived in this beautiful home on Oak Springs Road in Oakville. His family was too distraught to talk to us on camera, but some of his friends question why he was shot to death by police Sunday night.

Spencer MacKenzie was Alex’s friend: “Maybe the cops should’ve used a taser or try something else, maybe not shoot him 8 times. I think the police should’ve realized that there was a mental incapability there he was a little off it seemed, it’s not the Alex I know, and that everyone in Oakville knows.”

But clearly Alex’s Facebook status postings pointed to a young man crying out for help. His last post on Novmeber 13th read: “Would you give your life for the one’s you love?”

On November 8th, Alex wrote: “Breathe in, bleed out.”

And last July: “Just tired of the pain. Wouldn’t mind 1 good night sleep.”

Neighbours say Alex was a troubled teenager and they say that because they say there was a lot of police activity here at his house on Oak Springs Road about 4 years ago.

Kelly Dickinson was a neighbour: “They must of had their reasons and they did because they had spoken on the megaphone for a long time trying to get him to give himself up, they did do due deligence. ‘Alex, give yourself up, Alex we’ve got you surrounded.’

Alex’s good friend Spencer describes the friend who’ll be truly missed by all who loved him: “He was a good kid, very happy, kind, great heart, I don’t think he deserved what happened to him. He always treated everybody with respect, he was just a fun kid to be around, he was the life of the neighbourhood.”

When anyone is killed while police are involved the Special Investigations Unit gets involved. We asked for an update from the SIU Wednesday and all they would say is that the investigation is ongoing. Witnesses say that before Alex was shot, Halton police had Alex’s mother on the phone and begged him to talk to her to calm him down. Alex refused.