News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Mississauga Shooting

Case Number: 06-OFI-105   

TORONTO (1 August, 2006) --- The Deputy Director of the Special Investigations Unit, James Ramsay, has concluded that two Peel Regional Police (PRP) officers were legally justified in the shooting of 23-year-old Justin James.

The SIU investigation revealed that on June 23, 2006, at about 7:43 p.m., PRP officers in two unmarked cruisers boxed in a silver Cavalier, driven by Mr. James, at the intersection of Dixie Road and Shawson Drive. Two officers exited their vehicles and approached the car on foot. They became involved in a confrontation with Mr. James and both officers shot at Mr. James's car. Mr. James drove away and came to a stop after colliding with a number of parked cars at the Pearson Convention Centre on Steeles Avenue East in Brampton. PRP officers found Mr. James in the car suffering from a gunshot wound to the back. He was taken to hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.

The Deputy Director concluded the officers' use of force was legally justified under the provisions of sections 25 and 37 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Mr. James currently faces charges as a result of this incident. As a result, the SIU will not be issuing any further information on 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
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES