News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Discharge of Sock Gun by Police Officer in Scarborough

Case Number: 21-TFP-115   

Other News Releases Related to Case 21-TFP-115

No Criminal Wrongdoing in Relation to Firearm Discharge at Man in Toronto

Mississauga, ON (10 April, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding an officer firing a sock gun this morning at a 42-year-old man in Scarborough.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • Shortly after 5:30 a.m. on April 10, 2021, Toronto Police Service officers responded to the area of Ellesmere Road and Morningside Avenue for a report of a man threatening others at an apartment complex.
  • Upon arrival, officers encountered the man in a hallway of the building and an interaction ensued.
  • One officer discharged a sock gun and the man was subsequently taken into custody.

Two investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. 

The man did not sustain any serious injury, but the SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged a sock gun, which is considered to be a firearm. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, a firearm is defined as a barreled 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.

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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