Thursday, Toronto police fatally shot a guy who was seen carrying a pistol near three schools in Scarborough, according to police.

According to the Special Investigations Unit in the Canadian province of Ontario, after officers reacted to complaints of a man carrying a firearm, "there was an interaction" between officers and the individual. Police said that at some point during the interaction, two cops fired shots at the man, striking him at least once. On the scene, the suspect was pronounced deceased.

According to a series of tweets from the Toronto District School Board, at least four schools in the vicinity were placed on lockdown on Thursday as authorities assessed the severity of the threat.

The United States is still reeling from two recent mass shootings: the bloodiest school shooting in nearly a decade in Uvalde, Texas, and a racist supermarket massacre in Buffalo, New York.

"We certainly understand the trauma and how traumatic this must have been for staff, students and parents given the two recent events that have happened in the United States," said Toronto Police Chief James Ramer at a news conference following the incident, referring to the shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo.

He stated that he understood the community's apprehension because the armed suspect was near schools.

According to a tweet from the school board, the schools under lockdown included William G. Davis Junior Public School, Joseph Howe Senior Public School, Charlottetown Junior Public School, and Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute.

"I was really scared, I just started praying," one youngster told CNN affiliate CTV.

According to a news release, Ontario's Special Investigations Unit is investigating the fatal shooting.

According to the announcement, four and three forensic investigators have been assigned to the case.

Doug Ford tweeted his appreciation to police and emergency personnel for their "quick action."

He thanked police and emergency services for their prompt response in Scarborough today. We are incredibly appreciative of everything you do to ensure the safety of our communities.