Lunch-hour calm was shattered in the busy Mississauga district.

A busy afternoon in Mississauga took a dark turn when a confrontation in the heart of Cooksville ended in a fatal stabbing that has now triggered a full-scale police search.

The victim, a 32-year-old man from Mississauga, was attacked shortly after noon in a crowded commercial pocket near Hurontario Street, leaving a neighbourhood shaken and commuters stunned by the sudden violence in a highly trafficked area.

Parking lot confrontation turns fatal in minutes.

According to investigators, the incident began with an argument involving at least two men near Hurontario Street and Agnes Street, just north of Dundas Street. What started as a verbal exchange escalated rapidly, ending in a stabbing inside a parking lot behind a building at 3024 Hurontario Street.

Emergency calls poured in as bystanders rushed toward the injured man, attempting to aid while waiting for first responders. Despite those efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after emergency crews arrived.

Suspect captured on camera, then vanishes into busy streets.

Police say surveillance footage from the surrounding commercial area captured images of the suspect moments after the attack. He fled on foot immediately, disappearing east along Agnes Street and possibly crossing Hurontario Street during his escape.

The speed of the getaway and the density of the neighbourhood have complicated the search, with investigators now urging residents and businesses to remain alert.

“Armed and dangerous” warning issued as search intensifies

Later the same day, Peel Regional Police released a public alert describing the suspect as armed and dangerous. Authorities stressed that anyone who spots him should not approach and should call 911 immediately.

Police also shared a surveillance image along with a detailed physical description in hopes of generating leads from the public.

What the police say about the suspect

The suspect is described as a Black male with a medium build, short black hair, and a black goatee. At the time of the incident, he was seen wearing a white T-shirt, a black zippered jacket, bright green pants, Timberland-style boots, and a black watch on his right wrist.

Investigators have not released any information about a possible motive, and it remains unclear what led to the confrontation in the parking lot.

Public urged to check footage and stay alert.

Authorities are now appealing to anyone in the area with dashcam recordings, surveillance footage, or relevant observations from Tuesday afternoon to come forward. Even small details, police say, could help track the suspect’s movements after he fled the scene.

The investigation continues as officers work to piece together the final moments leading up to the attack and locate the individual still being actively sought.