News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Fatal Brantford Shooting

Case Number: 06-OFD-043   

TORONTO (31 March, 2006) --- James Cornish, the Director of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), has concluded that two Brantford Police Service (BPS) officers were legally justified in shooting Andrew Osidacz on March 18, 2006.

Both officers, whose actions were the focus of the SIU investigation, shot the 41-year-old man during a confrontation inside a home on Cecil Avenue in Brantford. Mr. Osidacz was struck four times and died from his injuries.

The SIU investigation determined that on March 18, 2006, at about 7:18 p.m., BPS officers arrived at 4 Courtland Drive and found a dead child and a woman and a little girl suffering from stab wounds. Police identified Andrew Osidacz as a suspect in the stabbings.

The police had reason to believe Mr. Osidacz's estranged wife may be in danger and officers were dispatched to her home on Cecil Avenue to check on her safety. At 8:06 p.m., two officers entered the home and were met by Mr. Osidacz's mother, niece and nephew. The officers became immediately concerned when they saw bloodstains on the walls. They were in the kitchen asking the family members where Mr. Osidacz was when they heard a woman screaming for help.

The officers went down the hallway and saw Mr. Osidacz on the edge of the bathtub. His estranged wife was beside him. Mr. Osidacz was holding her with his left arm and with his right hand, held a knife to her throat. Both were covered in blood.

The officers stood in the bathroom doorway with their guns drawn, and ordered Mr. Osidacz to drop the knife. He refused and instead raised his arm and moved the knife to the woman's throat. Almost simultaneously, the officers fired two shots each. Mr. Osidacz was struck and fell into the tub. The woman was escorted to safety.

A post mortem examination determined Mr. Osidacz died from two gunshot wounds to the chest.

Director Cornish concluded, "Mr. Osidacz made his way to Cecil Drive, forced his way into his estranged spouse's house and then held her at knifepoint for approximately one hour. He refused to give up when confronted by the police and was fatally shot when he caused the officers to justifiably believe that he was about to kill his estranged spouse. I believe these officers acted appropriately and according to their duty. Furthermore, I believe had the officers not fired, Mr. Osidacz would have killed his estranged spouse before their very eyes. These officers saved this woman's life."

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