News Release

SIU Closes Investigation into Death of Man Near Gravenhurst

Case Number: 12-POD-164   

Other News Releases Related to Case 12-POD-164

SIU Investigates Death near Gravenhurst

Mississauga (8 June, 2012) --- Based on the Special Investigations Unit’s (SIU) preliminary enquiries into the recent death of a 57-year-old Muskoka Lakes man, SIU Director Ian Scott has terminated the investigation.  The incident, involving officers with the Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) detachment, occurred on June 5, 2012. 

Two investigators and one forensic investigator from the SIU probed the circumstances surrounding this incident.  The investigation determined that at approximately 1:00 p.m. on June 5, OPP officers responded to a residence on Southwood Road after receiving a call from a concerned female.  While speaking to the woman outside the residence, a single gunshot was heard from inside the home.  Around 9:00 p.m., members of the OPP Tactics and Rescue Unit entered the  home and found a man deceased.  The post-mortem examination confirmed that the man died as result of a gunshot wound to the chest from a non-police issued firearm.  Notes found at the scene indicate the man wanted to harm himself.  At no point did police see or speak with the man.

On the basis of this investigation, there is no suggestion that any officer had any involvement with the deceased at the time the firearm discharge. Accordingly, the SIU investigation has been terminated.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as special constables with the Niagara Parks Commission and peace officers with the Legislative Protective Service) that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sexual assault and/or the discharge of a firearm at a person. All investigations are conducted by SIU investigators who are civilians. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, the Director of the SIU must

  • consider whether the official has committed a criminal offence in connection with the incident under investigation
  • depending on the evidence, cause a criminal charge to be laid against the official where grounds exist for doing so, or close the file without any charges being laid
  • publicly report the results of its investigations