Man shot at U.S.-Canada border

DETROIT, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- A man was shot by U.S. officials as he walked on a bridge at the U.S.-Canada border with what appeared to be a handgun.

The unidentified man, a Canadian citizen, stopped his car early Sunday near inspection booths on the U.S. side of the Ambassador Bridge, the major gateway between Detroit, Mich., and Windsor, Ontario. The suspect then walked toward U.S. customs officials with what was later determined to be a fake handgun, and was shot after he aimed it at the officials and was warned to drop the weapon. He was hospitalized, and later taken into custody, a statement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said.

A revised statement from CBP indicated he was shot once, in the arm. Two border officials fired a total of four shots.

"Investigators determined that the individual was holding a replica of a handgun," the statement said, adding the suspect had "previous encounters" with Canadian police.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported the suspect was encountered by police in a Windsor restaurant parking lot, immediately prior to the incident on the bridge. Responding to reports of a man with a gun, police ordered him to drop the alleged weapon when he pointed it at them. They said he asked, "Why haven't you shot me yet?"

The bridge was closed and reopened after an investigation.