News Release
SIU Appeals for Witnesses to Incident in Kitchener
Case Number: 05-OCD-050
Other News Releases Related to Case 05-OCD-050
The SIU was notified that at approximately 6:14 p.m., WRPS officers responded to the area of Fairway Road in regard to reports of a man acting strangely. Mr. Steele walked into Fairview Park mall and continued to behave in an unusual manner. Mr. Steele was subdued and taken into police custody. He was placed in a police cruiser and a short time later, showed no vital signs. Mr. Steele was taken by ambulance to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
SIU investigators are appealing for anyone who witnessed Mr. Steele on Fairway Road, inside Fairview Park mall, or outside the mall in the custody of police, to contact the Unit at 416-622-1988 or 1-800-787-8529 x 1988. Mr. Steele was wearing a dark t-shirt and dark jeans at the time of the incident.
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