News Release
SIU Lays Charges against Durham Regional Police Service Officer in Relation to Toronto Shooting
Case Number: 17-OFI-261
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has caused charges to be laid against a Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) officer in relation to an incident that occurred in Toronto in September of 2017.
The SIU investigation determined that on September 7, 2017, DRPS officers met to discuss the apprehension of a 21-year-old man who was wanted on outstanding arrest warrants arising out of the Bowmanville area. When the man left his Toronto home by vehicle, DRPS officers followed him. At the intersection of St. Clair Avenue West and Mondovi Gate, there was an interaction between one of the officers and the man, and the officer discharged his firearm. The man was struck, but drove away from the scene. He was arrested days later by officers with the Toronto Police Service.
As a result of the SIU investigation, 47-year-old Detective Constable Colin Goodwin of the DRPS is now facing the following charges under the Criminal Code:
• One count of aggravated assault, contrary to section 268;
• One count of discharge firearm with intent, contrary to section 244(1); and
• One count of discharge firearm - reckless endangerment, contrary to section 244.2(1)(b).
The officer was arrested today and released on an undertaking with conditions. He is required to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice at 2201 Finch Avenue West in Toronto on June 21, 2018.
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.
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