News Release
Man’s Death in Chatham a Result of Him Shooting Self; SIU Determines No Charges to Issue
Case Number: 17-OCD-190
Other News Releases Related to Case 17-OCD-190
Death of Man in Chatham-Kent Prompts SIU Investigation
UPDATE: SIU Releases Name of Chatham-Kent Man who Died
Shortly before midnight on July 25, 2017, a woman contacted the Chatham-Kent Police Service (CKPS) to notify them that her 52-year-old common-law partner was accessing firearms located in their home. Officers attended the residence and contained the surrounding area. Officers attempted to engage with the man but there was no response. When the officers finally decided to enter the home, they found the man, deceased. The immediate cause of death was determined to be a ‘gunshot wound to the head’. The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Tony Loparco, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to lay criminal charges against any CKPS officer in relation to the man’s death.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):/en/directors_report_details.php?drid=3015
The Director’s Report was delivered to the Attorney General, as is required by law under the Police Services Act. The Attorney General has directed that the document be posted online.
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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SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES