News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After London Police Officer Shoots Man with Less-Lethal Firearm

Case Number: 22-OFP-078   

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Mississauga, ON (14 March, 2022) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a London Police Service officer shot a 23-year-old man with a less-lethal firearm yesterday.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At about 12:20 a.m., officers were called about a disturbance at an apartment in the area of Balfour Place and Trafalgar Street.
  • Two people were located with serious injuries. Officers located a man armed with two knives.
  • There was an interaction, and one officer shot the man with a less-lethal firearm. Conducted energy weapons were also discharged at the man.
  • The man and the two other individuals were taken to hospital.
The man sustained serious injuries not as a result of police-involvement; however, the SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged a less-lethal firearm, 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 about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online 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