News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Shooting in Elliot Lake

Case Number: 07-PFI-144   

TORONTO (6 September, 2007) --- Five SIU investigators were assigned to examine the circumstances of the shooting. As part of the investigation, forensic identification technicians documented the scene and gathered evidentiary items such as the police officer's gun and two cartridge cases, a large kitchen knife and clothing found at the scene. Investigators interviewed 12 police and civilian witnesses and reviewed various police records.

The SIU investigation determined that at approximately 10:08 p.m. on July 23, 2007, OPP officers from the Elliot Lake detachment responded to a possible domestic dispute at a home on Hutchinson Avenue. The subject officer arrived at the home and went to the side door where he saw three people inside arguing, including Mr. Paradis. When he saw the officer, he grabbed a knife and ran out the door toward the officer.



The officer ordered Mr. Paradis to drop the knife as he backed away and up the driveway. The confrontation continued and the officer fired two shots. Mr. Paradis was struck in the chest and elbow. He dropped the knife and sat on the ground. Paramedics arrived and transported Mr. Paradis to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries.

Director Cornish concluded, on the basis of all the evidence, that the subject officer was faced with an immediate threat to his own life and that the use of lethal force was reasonable in the circumstances.

Mr. Paradis currently faces charges as a result of this incident. The SIU will not be releasing any further information in relation to this investigation in order to protect the fair trial interests of the young man and the community.

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

SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES