An investigation into the shooting death of terror suspect Aaron Driver has found the use of lethal force was justified.
Strathroy-Caradoc police released on Wednesday the findings of a joint investigation with the OPP Criminal Investigation Branch into the 24-year-old's August 10 death outside of a home in Strathroy.
"The specific mandate of the investigation was to scrutinize the shooting death to determine if the use of force was legally justified in Canadian Law," a police news release on the matter reads.
The Crown Prosecution at the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Office also conducted a review. The Crown's findings matched those of the police investigation, determining that the use of lethal force was justified, and therefore nonculpable.
On the day of Driver's death, RCMP were alerted by the FBI to a threat of an attack that was to be carried out at a Canadian urban centre within 72 hours. The information included a threatening video in which a man, believed to be Driver, railed against Canada, praised ISIS, and referenced terror attacks in France and Belguim.
Officers surrounded Driver's home in Strathroy and watched as he walked out carrying a backpack and got into the rear seat of an awaiting taxi. Police then blocked the vehicle from driving away and ordered Driver out.
It was at this time police say Driver detonated an improvised explosive device, injuring the cab driver. He then got out of the vehicle where he was shot by police, who feared he would set off a second explosive device.
Driver had been under court-ordered restrictions that prohibited him from associating with any terrorist organizations or using a computer or cellphone. However he was not under continuous surveillance by police.
It remains unclear where Driver intended to detonate his homemade bomb.
