News Release
SIU Continues Investigation in Toronto
Case Number: 09-TCI-085
Other News Releases Related to Case 09-TCI-085
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) contacted the SIU on April 16, 2009 at 3:28 p.m. TPS reported that one of their officers responded to a call at Yorkdale Mall to assist two members of the mall security in regards to a person seen with a gun on mall property. A male was subsequently located and arrested. During the arrest a physical confrontation took place between the male, the police and mall security. During this altercation a gun discharged. The bullet struck one of the mall security personnel. The security member who was wearing body armour was not injured.
The male was taken to 32 Division TPS for processing. Once at the police station it was discovered that the male had a minor gunshot wound to his leg. The male was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital for treatment. During the treatment for the superficial gunshot wound, it was determined that the male had also sustained a facial fracture.
This facial injury and its cause is now the focus of the SIU's investigation.
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