News Release

SIU Investigating Death of Man in Fergus

Case Number: 21-PFD-257   

Other News Releases Related to Case 21-PFD-257

No Charges Against OPP Officer in Shooting Death of Man in Fergus

Mississauga, ON (15 August, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a 31-year-old man this afternoon in Fergus.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 11 a.m. August 15, 2021, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a call for a domestic disturbance at a residence on Belsyde Avenue East. 
  • OPP responded and negotiated with a man.
  • At 1:38 p.m., there was an interaction with OPP officers and the man. OPP discharged a firearm and the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
  • An OPP officer has been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Four investigators and three forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. 

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

Lisez ce communiqué en français.

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