TORONTO - The province's Special Investigations Unit is probing the fatal shooting of a man by Hamilton police early Friday.

The SIU say police received a call for assistance around 2 a.m. from the owner of M & J Billiards and Video who said a man entered his store and struck him with an axe.

Two officers arrived on scene and found the alleged attacker outside the store where a confrontation ensued.

The officers fired their guns and the man was struck and taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is being urged to contact the SIU.

The civilian agency is required to investigate situations involving police and civilians that result in serious injury, sexual assault or death.