News Release
SIU Finds no Grounds to Lay Criminal Charges Against Police Officer in Relation to Shooting Death of Man in Bobcaygeon
Case Number: 21-PFD-402
Other News Releases Related to Case 21-PFD-402
SIU Investigating Death of Man in Bobcaygeon After OPP Officer Discharged Firearm
On November 25, 2021, an Ontario Provincial Police officer with the City of Kawartha Lakes Detachment attended a home in Bobcaygeon to speak with a 57-year-old man in relation to the theft of gasoline from a gas station that morning. After the officer knocked on the door in the rear yard, the man exited onto the back deck while holding a rifle. The man told the officer to “Get out of here,” as he lifted and pointed the rifle at the officer. In response, the officer shouted at the man to drop his weapon and drew his pistol. The officer discharged several rounds in quick succession. The man was struck and fell to the deck floor. Once officers were able to assure the area was safe of possible threats, they escorted paramedics to the scene where the man was located deceased.
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has determined there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the man’s death was the result of unlawful conduct on the part of any officer. There is no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case and the file has been closed.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES