News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After Police Officer Discharges Bean-Bag Gun at Man in Toronto

Case Number: 20-TFP-347   

Other News Releases Related to Case 20-TFP-347

No Charges to Issue Against Officer in Toronto Who Discharged Bean Bag Gun at Man

Mississauga, ON (12 December, 2020) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the discharge of a weapon last night by a police officer in Toronto.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 9:45 p.m. on December 11, 2020, Toronto Police Service officers were dispatched to 5800 Yonge Street in Toronto as an individual was in crisis and had possession of a weapon.
  • Upon arrival, officers became involved in an interaction with a 33-year-old man.
  • During the interaction, an officer discharged a bean-bag gun at the man, and he was struck. A conducted energy weapon was also deployed.
  • The man was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to hospital.

The man did not sustain any serious injury. However, the SIU’s mandate was invoked as per the Special Investigations Unit Act because a police officer discharged a firearm at a person. Legislation defines a firearm as a barrelled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.

One investigator 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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