News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating ARWEN Discharge, Serious Injury Suffered by Burlington Man

Case Number: 21-OFP-393   

Other News Releases Related to Case 21-OFP-393

SIU Concludes Investigation into Halton Police Officers’ ARWEN, CEW Discharges at Burlington Man

Mississauga, ON (17 November, 2021) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Halton Regional Police Service officer discharged an Anti Riot Weapon ENfield (ARWEN) at a 51-year-old man in Burlington this evening.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
• At approximately 6:03 p.m. on November 17, 2021, police received a 911 call regarding a man in distress.
• Officers entered the man’s home on Millcroft Park Drive and located him. The man had an edged weapon. 
• There was an interaction, and one officer discharged an ARWEN.
• He was taken into custody and brought to hospital where he is being treated for a serious injury.

The SIU’s mandate was invoked due to the serious injury suffered by the man and because a police officer discharged an ARWEN, 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.

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