News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Firearm Discharge at Man in Chatham-Kent

Case Number: 21-OFP-220   

Other News Releases Related to Case 21-OFP-220

No Charges Against Chatham-Kent Officer After Man Struck by Less-Lethal Round in Chatham

Mississauga, ON (15 July, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the discharge of a less-lethal firearm early this morning in Chatham-Kent. 

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At 9:11 p.m. on July 14, 2021, police responded to a 911 hang-up call on Webb Street in Chatham. 
  • Chatham-Kent Police Service officers responded and located a 50-year-old man outside the residence. 
  • Attempts were made to negotiate with the man and, during an interaction, a Controlled Energy Weapon was deployed, followed by a less lethal round.
  • Paramedics responded and determined he did not sustain serious injury. The man is in custody.
The SIU’s mandate has been 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.
SIU is asking anyone who may have information about this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529. The Unit is also asking 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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES