News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Fall After Being Tased in St. Catharines

Case Number: 25-OCI-370   

Mississauga, ON (12 January, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Niagara Regional Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the fractured right shoulder suffered by a 42-year-old man during his apprehension in St. Catharines. On September 16, 2025, police were called to the Metro on Lakeshore Road in relation to a disorientated man who had fallen in the grocery store.

Paramedics arrived and loaded the man into the ambulance. The man, who had suffered a seizure, told officers he wanted to go home. He swung twice at one of them and left the ambulance on foot. Concerned he would put himself in danger by entering traffic on Lakeshore Road, an officer discharged his conducted energy weapon (CEW) without effect. Shortly after, he was struck by another CEW deployment from the subject official. The man locked-up and fell forward to the ground before he was handcuffed.

Director Martino said it made sense to report to less-lethal weaponry given it was imperative to subdue the man as quickly as possible given his movement toward the road.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): 

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