Canadian man killed by police following terror threat

A man has been killed by police responding to a terror threat in southern Ontario, Canada.

Aaron Driver, a known Islamic State sympathiser, was shot by police after detonating a device that injured himself and one other, reports CBC News.

Police told Driver's family they had to shoot him because he had another device and planned to detonate it, it adds.

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The authorities said they launched the operation after receiving information of a potential terrorist act earlier on Wednesday.

"A suspect was identified and the proper course of action has been taken to ensure that there is no danger to the public's safety," said police.

An internal government memo obtained by CTV News said Driver allegedly planned to cause mass casualties by carrying out a suicide bombing mission in a busy public space.

"Officials feared that the plot could have been carried out during rush hour in a busy location," says the news site.

In 2015, Driver, who was known to police for his support of IS, was arrested and released on a peace bond which banned him from using a computer, a mobile or associating with terrorist sympathisers.

Driver's father, Wayne, confirmed to the National Post that his son was involved in the incident. "Yes, it was Aaron, my son, who was shot and killed earlier today. Our worst nightmare has come true.

"As sad and shocked as I am, it doesn't surprise me that it has come to this. Aaron was a good kid who went down a dark path and couldn't find the light again."