KENORA, Ont. - Ontario's Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a woman was shot Monday night after allegedly lunging at police with a knife.

Leon Strong, who was in two-storey building near-by in downtown Kenora, Ont., reported hearing two gunshots just after 8 p.m. Monday night. He immediately ran to the scene to find his aunt slumped on the sidewalk with officers standing by.

“They were just watching her,” he said. “She was in a fetal position. She was bleeding and everybody (who had gathered around) was asking, ŒWhat did they shoot her for.’ They could have just used their tasers.” Strong said he was told by police the woman had a knife.

The woman, 39, was taken to a local hospital before being airlifted to Winnipeg. Police said Tuesday morning her condition had stablized.

Her name was not released by police.

Sgt. Kiviaho, an OPP communications supervisor in Thunder Bay, would only confirm police were involved in an investigation and wouldn’t comment whether it involved a shooting.

“I don’t have anything to provide you other than there’s an investigation going on downtown in that area but I can’t confirm anything that you’re hearing,” he said.

Ontario's SIU announced Tuesday four investigators and three forensic investigators were looking into the shooting after the OPP reported it.