News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Mississauga Shooting
Case Number: 07-OFI-082
Other News Releases Related to Case 07-OFI-082
probe the circumstances of the shooting.
At 7:01 p.m. May 1, 2007, five PRP officers were in the parking lot of the Rona Building Centre at 2933 Eglinton Avenue West, Mississauga. They were investigating a stolen vehicle and its three male occupants. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but instead the vehicle drove towards one of the officers. One officer fired his pistol and the shot struck the driver, Steven Van Every, in the shoulder. Mr. Van Every was taken to St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto by ambulance where he was treated and later released.
Deputy Director Scott said, "The officer had reasonable grounds to arrest Mr. Van Every for possession of a stolen vehicle. When the officer moved in to arrest Mr. Van Every, Mr. Van Every began to drive out of the parking spot in the direction of the officer. It is my opinion that the officer reasonably believed that Mr. Van Every intended to drive into him in order to escape. The officer believed that the use of lethal force was necessary for his self-preservation under ss. 25(3) of the Criminal Code and discharged his pistol. I am of the view that the force used was justified in the
circumstances of this arrest."
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