News Release

SIU Investigating Fatal Police-involved Shooting in Exeter

Case Number: 19-PFD-293   

Mississauga, ON (4 December, 2019) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of 44-year-old Wade Vanderwal last night in Exeter.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 6:30 p.m. on December 3, 2019, Ontario Provincial Police officers and firefighters were dispatched to a residence on Simcoe Street for a fire call. 
  • While the first responders were outside the residence, Mr. Vanderwal exited the residence armed with an axe.
  • There was an interaction between him and officers. 
  • Two officers discharged their firearms and Mr. Vanderwal was struck multiple times. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

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

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

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