The family of the man shot and killed by police on New Year's Eve in St. Catharines are expressing disbelief after a video showing the man dying surfaced on social media.
The province's Special Investigation Unit has identified 56 year old Fred Penner as the victim in the incident Tuesday afternoon on Rykert Street.
Penner's niece Jennifer joined CKTB's Matt Holmes and says she's in shock.
"Everywhere I go I'm hearing a different story," adding "the way I know my uncle, he is not a violent man. He has never been a violent man. So hearing that he is waving around some bread knife or machete or whatever. It's just totally out of character for him."
Jennifer says she would see her uncle only once or twice a year but describes him as a polite, quiet man that was a joy to be around.
A vigil on Friday night will be held from 7:15 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at St. Anthony's School.
The SIU was called in to investigate the shooting which took place after officers had some sort of interaction with a man allegedly armed with a knife.
The SIU has been asking for anyone with video evidence related to the case to upload that video through their website.