News Release

SIU Investigation into Fatal Shooting in Brantford Continues

Case Number: 06-OFD-043   

TORONTO (20 March, 2006) --- Investigators from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) attended the post mortem examination for Andrew Osidacz which confirmed he died from gunshot wounds after being shot by two Brantford Police Service (BPS) officers on March 18, 2006.

The SIU has also confirmed that the two subject officers entered a home on Cecil Drive to find Mr. Osidacz and four other family members inside of the home. The officers found Mr. Osidacz holding a woman at knifepoint and confronted him. As a result of the confrontation, the officers discharged their firearms and Mr. Osidacz was struck. None of the other occupants in the home were seriously injured as a result of this incident.

The SIU investigation into the circumstances of the police shooting is ongoing. Investigators have interviewed a number of police and civilians witnesses and are analyzing the physical evidence gathered from the scene.

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