News Release

SIU Investigating Discharge of Firearm by Barrie Police Service Officer

Case Number: 18-OFI-277   

Mississauga, ON (19 September, 2018) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding a shooting that occurred on Monday in Barrie.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 4 a.m. on September 17, 2018, officers with the Barrie Police Service located persons of interest at a gas station at the St. Vincent Street and Grove Street East intersection.
  • The persons of interest – two males and two females – fled the scene in a vehicle. At some point, one of the officers discharged his firearm.
  • At St. Vincent Street and Blake Street, the vehicle crashed into a tree, and the four vehicle occupants fled on foot.
  • A search was conducted by officers and three of the individuals were located and arrested.
  • While the fourth individual – a 21-year-old man – has not been located, evidence has led the SIU to believe the man sustained a gunshot wound.

Two investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to this incident. At this time, one subject officer and three witness officers have been designated.

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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