News Release

News Release

Fatal Shooting of Man in Brantford Constituted Reasonable Force

Case Number: 26-OFD-024   

Other News Releases Related to Case 26-OFD-024

SIU Investigating Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Brantford

Mississauga, ON (14 May, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe Brantford Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the shooting death of a 33-year-old man. On January 16, 2026, police were called to a home near Wayne Gretzky Parkway and Lynden Road in Brantford in relation to a woman being held hostage at knifepoint by her partner. Following attempts to negotiate, officers forced their way into a bedroom and fired their weapons as the man was seen stabbing or was just about to stab the woman. Director Martino was satisfied that the officers’ resort to gunfire constituted reasonable force in defence of the woman. 

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