News Release

News Release

SIU Lays Charges against Officer in Relation to Death of Abdirahman Abdi

Case Number: 16-OCD-193   

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Mississauga, ON (6 March, 2017) ---
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has caused charges to be laid against an Ottawa Police Service officer in relation to the death of 37-year-old Abdirahman Abdi in July of 2016 in Ottawa. 

The SIU investigation determined that in the morning of Sunday, July 24, 2016, officers were dispatched to the area of Wellington Street West and Fairmont Avenue. There was an interaction between officers and Mr. Abdi on Hilda Street, and he went into medical distress. Mr. Abdi was transported to Ottawa Civic Hospital where he died the next day.  

As a result of the SIU investigation, 36-year-old Ottawa Police Service Constable Daniel Montsion is now facing the following charges under the Criminal Code:
  • One count of manslaughter, contrary to section 236(b);
  • One count of aggravated assault, contrary to section 268; and 
  • One count of assault with weapon, contrary to section 267(a).

Constable Montsion is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 161 Elgin Street in Ottawa on March 29, 2017. 

The matter is now properly before the courts. In consideration of the fair trial interests of the accused, the SIU will make no further comment.  

If you or someone you know has been negatively affected by an incident under SIU investigation and would like support, the Affected Persons Program is here to help. You can reach us at 1-877-641-1897. Support is free, confidential, and available 24/7, every day of the year.

The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials (municipal, regional and provincial police officers, police officers with the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service, 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

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