Man identified in shooting death of OPP officer

WINGHAM, Ont. - As friends and colleagues mourned slain OPP Const. Vu Pham, authorities on Tuesday released new details about the 70-year-old man involved in the fatal southwestern Ontario shooting.

Fred Preston was identified by Ontario's Special Investigations Unit as the man involved in a "confrontation" with police.

"The OPP reported to the SIU that officers became involved in a confrontation with Mr. Preston the morning of March 8, 2010 at 82352 North Line in Huron County," the Special Investigations Unit said in a statement. "Mr. Preston was shot, and remains at the Victoria Hospital in London in critical condition."

Pham was shot and died as a result of injuries sustained.

The SIU release says Preston is from Burk's Falls, Ont., 260 kilometres north of Toronto. It also said he remains in critical condition at Victoria Hospital in London, Ont.

Witness accounts suggest about two dozen shots were exchanged between officers and the suspect during the incident Monday morning.

"Oh goodness, more than a dozen," said nearby resident Bonnie Glanville, who dialled 911 when the gunfire erupted. Glanville said she went to get a glass of water when she saw two patrol cars stop the truck outside her home.

Moments later, she said she heard numerous gunshots in rapid succession. "I was stunned," she said.

Glanville declined to say more because police had instructed her not to talk to reporters.

The altercation began at 82352 North Line, a home that remained under police barricade on Tuesday.

In nearby Wingham, where Pham made his home, neighbours, friends and colleagues were still struggling to come to grips with the loss of the 15-year OPP veteran, who was married with three young children.

"He was forever teaching them how to throw a ball, or kick a ball," next-door neighbour Lorne Mackenzie said in an interview at the local arena where Pham coached hockey.

Meanwhile, members of the officer's family were gathered at a nearby church, making funeral arrangements.