News Release

News Release

SIU Updates Investigation into Fatal Shooting of Man in East Gwillimbury

Case Number: 21-OFD-040   

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Mississauga, ON (8 February, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a 37-year-old man on Saturday at a residence in East Gwillimbury. On Saturday, York Regional Police (YRP) officers were dispatched to the residence after receiving a weapons call. Upon arriving, officers located a 38-year-old woman who was deceased. Inside the home, officers then became involved in an interaction with the man. As a result, two officers discharged their firearms and the man was struck. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. A 35-year-old woman, a four-year-old boy and a two-year-old boy were transported to hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

As of today:
  • Five investigators and four forensic investigators from the SIU have been assigned to the case. 
  • The officer who was designated as a witness official was interviewed yesterday. The two officers who were designated as subject officials have not yet been interviewed. Subject officials are under no legal obligation to speak with the SIU but may if they choose to do so.  
  • A canvass of the area was completed in an attempt to locate evidence and potential witnesses. Three civilian witnesses were located and interviewed. Video footage was retrieved from two sources.
  • Investigators are in possession of cartridge cases and projectiles seized at the scene, as well as use of force equipment – including firearms – from the two subject officials. These will be forwarded to the Centre of Forensic Sciences for further examination. A knife located at the scene was also secured. 
At the request of family, the Unit is not releasing the man’s name. This is in accordance with the SIU’s name release policy which requires consent from next of kin.

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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