News Release
SIU Terminates Investigation into Man's Death in Hamilton
Case Number: 07-OCD-023
The SIU was notified that on January 30, 2007, at about 4:30 p.m., the Hamilton Police Service (HPS) received a 911 call about a man who was seriously injured and inside a home on Tragina Avenue North in Hamilton. The police learned that in addition to the injured man, there were three other people inside the home.
HPS officers, including those from the Emergency Response Unit, responded to the call and entered the home. Tactical Response Unit officers from the Halton Regional Police Service also attended to assist. Officers removed the injured man and two women from the house. The injured man was taken to hospital where he died. The HPS is investigating this man's death.
The remaining occupant, later identified as Gregory Russell, remained barricaded inside the house. At about 7:00 p.m., HPS officers re-entered the home and found Mr. Russell with what appeared to be a fatal gunshot wound.
Six SIU investigators were sent to Hamilton to examine the nature and extent of police involvement in all the circumstances surrounding Mr. Russell's death. As part of the investigation, investigators attended Mr. Russell's post mortem examination that took place this morning. Based on all the evidence gathered, SIU investigators determined it appeared Mr. Russell's injuries were self-inflicted. SIU Director James Cornish stated, "Given that there is no reason to believe that any of the involved HPS officers caused or contributed to this man's death, the SIU investigation into this man's death has been terminated."
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