News Release
SIU Concludes Shooting Investigation in Lindsay
Case Number: 06-OFI-147
Other News Releases Related to Case 06-OFI-147
Mr. Leduc was shot once in the shoulder on August 25, 2006, during the execution of a drug search warrant. He was treated in hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
The SIU investigation determined that on that date, the police obtained a search warrant in relation to an ongoing drug investigation. Officers had been investigating a home on Georgian Street for suspected drug activity. They had information that four people were present inside the home and that there was a firearm in the house.
At approximately 5:30 a.m., eight officers went to the home to execute the warrant with an unannounced entry. The door was jammed shut from the inside and it took two officers about a minute to force open the front door; this removed the element of surprise.
The subject officer led the raid into the dark house. He had his firearm drawn and was followed by three officers. As the officer moved down the hallway into the living room, he pulled out his flashlight and turned it on. The officer saw Mr. Leduc sitting up on a couch, confronted him, and fired one shot.
There were two other people present in the home at the time of the shooting. They were arrested without incident and none of them were injured.
Based on a review of the totality of the evidence, Director Cornish concluded that the subject officer had a reasonably held fear for his life and safety and was justified in resorting to the use of deadly force.
Further particulars of the circumstances of the shooting and the events leading up to it cannot be released at this time as Mr. Leduc is currently facing charges in relation to this incident.
The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (police officers as well as 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