News Release

SIU Investigating After Man Sustains Gunshot Wound in Petrolia

Case Number: 20-PCD-285   

Mississauga, ON (27 October, 2020) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the serious injury sustained by a 40-year-old man last night in Petrolia.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 7:30 p.m. on October 26, 2020, Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to a residence in Petrolia for a report of a man in a state of mental distress.
  • Upon arrival, officers were alerted to the rear of the property and secured the area.
  • At approximately 10:45 p.m., members of the Emergency Response Team entered the rear of the property and observed that a man had sustained a gunshot wound.
  • The man was transported to hospital where he is in critical condition.

Based on the preliminary information, the gunshot wound is believed to have been self-inflicted. Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. 

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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