News Release

News Release

SIU Investigates Custody Death in Kapuskasing

Case Number: 15-PCD-246   

Mississauga (25 October, 2015) --- Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is probing the circumstances surrounding a custody death that occurred on the evening of Saturday, October 24th in the Town of Kapuskasing.

The Ontario Provincial Police reported the following information to the SIU:

• A Police Officer was investigating a vehicle on Ballentyne Road south of Hwy 11.
• A man was located in the vehicle with what appeared to be a long barrelled weapon.
• Police secured the immediate area.
• At 8:30 am the man was found to have suffered a gunshot wound.
• The Coroner’s Office has been notified.

Four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to investigate this incident.  Anyone who may have information regarding this case is asked to contact the Unit at 416-622-0748 or 1-800-787-8529 Ext. 2293.

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