News Release

Update on Kawartha Lakes Investigation

Case Number: 20-PFD-324   

Mississauga, ON (20 August, 2021) ---
The Special Investigations Unit continues to investigate an incident involving the deaths of a one-year-old boy and his 33-year-old father in Kawartha Lakes last November. 

Both sustained gunshot wounds on November 26, 2020 in the course of an interaction between the father and Ontario Provincial Police officers. The child was pronounced deceased at the scene, and the father succumbed to his injuries almost one week later. 

The investigation is currently in a hold pattern awaiting the results of specialized, out-of-country forensic testing of some of the ballistic evidence by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  

The SIU recognizes the high public interest in this tragic case and is moving as quickly as it can to bring the investigation to resolution. We ask for the public’s continued patience as the investigation is conducted. 

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