News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After Police Officer Fatally Shoots Man in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Case Number: 21-OFD-007   

Other News Releases Related to Case 21-OFD-007

Update: SIU Releases Identity of Man Fatally Shot in Niagara-on-the-Lake
No Charges Against Niagara Officer in Shooting Death of Man

Mississauga, ON (5 January, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a man this afternoon in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 1:30 p.m. on January 5, 2021, Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) officers responded to a business in the area of Lundy’s Lane and Corwin Avenue after an individual reported two people sleeping in a vehicle.
  • Upon the arrival of officers to the area, the vehicle fled. 
  • Officers followed the vehicle and made numerous attempts to stop it.
  • In the area of Niagara River Parkway and Line 3, the vehicle entered a ditch and came to a stop.
  • There was an interaction, and one officer discharged his firearm. The man was struck. He was transported to hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 3:35 p.m.

Four investigators and three forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. At this time, one NRPS officer has been designated as a subject officer. In addition, two officers with NRPS and two officers with Niagara Parks Police have been designated as witness officers. 

A post-mortem is in the process of being scheduled. Attempts to identify the man are underway by investigators.

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