News Release

SIU Investigating Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in Peterborough

Case Number: 19-OFD-170   

Mississauga, ON (24 July, 2019) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of 27-year-old Billy Shea last night in Peterborough. Mr. Shea’s family gave consent for the SIU to release his name.
 
Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 10:30 p.m. on July 23, 2019, police officers near Millbrook began to follow a vehicle of interest – being operated by Mr. Shea – on Highway 115.
  • Shortly after, in the area of Highway 115 and The Parkway in Peterborough, the vehicle became involved in a collision with another civilian vehicle. 
  • Officers approached, and an interaction ensued between them and Mr. Shea.
  • One officer discharged his firearm and Mr. Shea was struck.
  • He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Six investigators and three forensic investigators have been assigned to this incident. At this time, one subject officer from the Peterborough Police Service (PPS) has been designated. In addition, five officers with the Ontario Provincial Police and seven officers with the PPS have been designated as witness officers. 
 
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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.