News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After Toronto Police Officer Fired Less-Lethal Shotgun at Man

Case Number: 21-TFP-390   

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Mississauga, ON (15 November, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Toronto Police Service officer fired a less-lethal shotgun at a man this morning in west Toronto.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 10 a.m. on November 15, 2021, officers responded to West Mall Bloor Plaza at 290 The West Mall for a man in distress.
  • There was an interaction, and one officer discharged a less-lethal shotgun at the man, striking him with sock rounds. Another officer discharged a conducted energy weapon at the man.
  • The man was taken into custody under the Mental Health Act and brought to hospital. 

One subject official and five witness officials have been designated at this time.

The SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged a less-lethal shotgun, which is classified as a firearm. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, 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.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information, including video or photos, in relation to this investigation to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or on the website at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php

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