Mississauga man killed in Toronto Police shootout has firearm convictions; fired at least once

Police sources identified the dead man as 26-year-old Xavier Emerson

Published Aug 24, 2026  •  Last updated 4 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

Cops seized this gun and ammo in 2023 from a man killed in an altercation on Saturday. Photo by HANDOUT /PEEL REGIONAL POLICE

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The man shot to death in a violent encounter with cops in North York on Saturday has prior firearms convictions, the Toronto Sun has learned.

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Police sources identified the dead man as 26-year-old Xavier Emerson, of Mississauga.

According to Toronto Police, officers were called at about 1:25 p.m. after receiving reports that a person in a damaged vehicle driving erratically in the Wilson and King High Aves. area of North York, near Hwy. 401 and Allen Rd.

Cops said the driver of the vehicle was involved in a collision and the individual attempted to flee the scene.

‘Interaction’ turned violent: Cops

Officials later said that there was an “interaction” with the man in question that turned violent.

Cops then arrived and, “as a result of the interaction with the suspect, an officer discharged their firearm,” police said. Emerson was pronounced dead at the scene.

One source said Emerson fired at least one shot at police before they returned fire. No officers were injured in the shootout.

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“We have little info on this guy … But I can tell you that he did get at least one round off at the officer,” the source said, adding that the subject officer, an ex-emergency task force member, is “good.”

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Man had tattoos in line with MS-13 street gang

The source added that in addition to firearms convictions, the dead man “was covered in tattoos, including his face. Bloodthirsty Latin street gang, MS-13 members are known to have their mugs mangled with ink, often extolling the glories of the gang.

No further details of the shooting were released by police.

The province’s Special Investigations Unit — Ontario’s police watchdog — has invoked their mandate to take over the investigation. Typically, SIU takes charge when an officer discharges a firearm at a person, an injury is suffered by an individual, or a death has occurred involving police.

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In September 2023, he was arrested in a firearms investigation and charged with several offences, including unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition readily available, possession of a weapon contrary to a prohibition order and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

At the time of his arrest, cops said Emerson was allegedly breaching two separate recognizance orders for firearms and other related offences and was on a weapons prohibition.

Peel Regional Police’s strategic and tactical enforcement policing (STEP) unit and another tactical unit executed the warrant at a Brampton residence, resulting in the seizure of guns and drugs.

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