News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man Fatally Shot by Niagara Officers in Welland

Case Number: 25-OFD-516   

Other News Releases Related to Case 25-OFD-516

SIU Investigating After Man Fatally Shot in Welland

Mississauga, ON (23 October, 2026) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe Niagara Regional Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the death of a 26-year-old man in Welland. On December 13, 2025, tactical officers were dispatched to a residence in the area of Ontario Road and King Street to arrest the man for reportedly discharging a firearm in the course of intimate partner violence the day before in Mississauga. During his arrest, the man repeatedly shot at officers and officers returned fire.

Director Martino concluded that the only tool at the disposal of the officers’ present with the stopping power capable of ending the threat posed by the man were their firearms.

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.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.

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