News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After Officer Shot Less-Lethal Firearm at Man in Ottawa

Case Number: 24-OFP-552   

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Mississauga, ON (27 December, 2024) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an Ottawa Police Service officer discharged an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 43-year-old man-year-old man in Nepean on Tuesday. He was not seriously injured.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at approximately 10:35 a.m., officers responded to a residence on Cornell Street for a man in distress.  
  • Officers attempted to negotiate with a man. An officer discharged an ARWEN and the projectile struck the man. 
  • He was taken to hospital where he was cleared of any serious injury and admitted under the Mental Health Act.
While the man did not sustain any serious injury, the SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged an ARWEN, which is classified as a firearm. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, a firearm is defined as a barreled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.

Two investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php


If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES