News Release

News Release

SIU Investigates Shooting in Hamilton

Case Number: 09-OFI-015   

TOTONTO (24 January, 2009) --- Eight investigators, including three forensic identification investigators from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are probing the circumstances surrounding a police shooting involving the Hamilton Police Service.

The SIU was notified that on Friday, January 23, 2009 at approximately 9:04 PM a robbery occurred at the Tim Horton’s at Stone Church Road and Upper James Street. The suspects fled the scene in a vehicle that they abandoned in the area of Elcho Street and Wycliffe Avenue. There was a confrontation with police in which shots were fired. One of the male persons was taken to the Hamilton General Hospital and is being treated for a non-life threatening gunshot wound. A firearm was recovered at the scene.

The SIU is appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to contact the Unit at 416-622-0748 or 1-800-787-8529.

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