News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man Shot by Less-Lethal Firearm in Midland

Case Number: 25-PFP-392   

Other News Releases Related to Case 25-PFP-392

SIU Investigating Discharge of ARWEN at Man in Midland

Mississauga, ON (23 January, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with firing an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 28-year-old man. On September 29, 2025, police were called to a carpark behind the Guesthouse Shelter, 522 Elizabeth Street, Midland. There were 911 calls about a man armed with a knife chasing a female in the vicinity. 

The man fled from police and threw his knife away. He had a knife but threw it away. The man refused to stop despite repeated commands. The officer discharged three rounds of the ARWEN at the man. The man fell and the officer arrested him. 

Director Martino found the use of the less-lethal firearm made sense as the man had reportedly had a knife, and its use allowed the officer to neutralize the man from a safe distance without anyone getting seriously hurt.

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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES