News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Sock Gun Discharge in Toronto

Case Number: 21-TFP-167   

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Mississauga, ON (31 May, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the discharge of a sock gun on Friday in Toronto.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 8 p.m. on May 28, 2021, Toronto Police Service officers were dispatched to an apartment building on Cosburn Avenue for a neighbour dispute.
  • Upon arrival, officers located a 27-year-old man in a 7th floor apartment.
  • There was an interaction, and one officer discharged rounds from a sock gun. The man was struck and taken to hospital for assessment.

The man did not sustain any serious injury, but the SIU’s mandate was invoked under the Special Investigations Unit Act, 2019 because a firearm was discharged at a person. 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.

Three investigators have been assigned to the case. One subject official and six witness officials have been designated.

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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