News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Hamilton Shooting Injury
Case Number: 06-OFI-127
Other News Releases Related to Case 06-OFI-127
On July 24, 2006, Mr. Lorn was shot during a confrontation with an HPS officer. He was taken to hospital where he was treated for gunshot injuries to his legs.
Seven SIU investigators were assigned to probe the circumstances surrounding Mr. Lorn's shooting. The investigation determined that at about 4:53 a.m., two officers responded to a call about a man with a machete. One of the officers arrived to the area of King Street and Mt. Albion Road and spoke with witnesses while the other officer went on to Hixon Street. While on Hixon Street, the officer found Mr. Lorn kneeling on the ground. The officer got out of his cruiser with his service pistol drawn and yelled at Mr. Lorn to show his hands. When the officer saw that Mr. Lorn had a machete, he radioed for assistance. The officer then became involved in a confrontation with Mr. Lorn and fired seven rounds. Mr. Lorn fell to the ground but continued to crawl while still holding the machete. By this time, a second officer had arrived and helped secure the machete and arrest Mr. Lorn.
The Deputy Director concluded the subject officer had a reasonably held belief that the shooting was necessary in order to protect his life. He said, "The officer was lawfully engaged in the performance of his duty when he discharged his gun; the officer's use of force is legally justified."
Mr. Lorn faces charges as a result of an incident that occurred prior to the arrival of the police and as a result, the SIU will not be releasing any further information in relation to this investigation.
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