News Release
No Charges to Issue in Officer-Involved Shooting of Toronto Man
Case Number: 21-TFI-118
Other News Releases Related to Case 21-TFI-118
SIU Continues Investigation into Toronto Police-Involved Shooting
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe Toronto Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in the shooting of a man in his Toronto apartment in April 2021.
On April 13, 2021, officers went to a man’s apartment on Shuter Street to arrest him on a bench warrant issued for failing to appear at court and for the violation of a community treatment order. After a period, the man opened the door while holding a large knife. Following a struggle in the doorway, and unsuccessful Conducted Energy Weapon discharges by police, an officer ended up inside the apartment with the armed man behind a locked door. Another officer fired two shots at the closed door and the officer inside the apartment fired twice at the man. The man was struck three times, once each to the left and right arms and once in the abdomen. Officers provided first aid to the man before he was transported to hospital.
Following review of the evidence, Director Martino concluded there is no basis for proceeding with criminal charges.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_report_details.php?drid=1499
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