News Release

SIU Investigating Death of Man in Perth East

Case Number: 18-PCD-117   

Mississauga, ON (15 April, 2018) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death last night of a 61-year-old man in Perth East.
 
Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 4:50 p.m. on April 14, 2018, Ontario Provincial Police officers attended a residence for a domestic situation. Officers from the Emergency Response Unit and the Tactical Response Unit were also dispatched.
  • Officers encountered a man, contained him on the property and began negotiations.
  • At some point, plastic projectiles from an Anti Riot Weapon ENfield (ARWEN) were fired at the man.
  • A short time later, the man sustained a gunshot wound. 
  • He was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:15 p.m.

Four investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to this incident. At this time in the investigation, it is believed that only the ARWEN was discharged, and not any other police weapon. 

Two subject officers and 19 witness officers have been designated.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also urging anyone who may have any video evidence related to this incident to upload that video through the SIU website.

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

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

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