News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Discharge of Less Lethal Shotgun by Officer in Toronto

Case Number: 22-TFP-100   

Other News Releases Related to Case 22-TFP-100

Discharge of Less Lethal Shotgun by Officer at Man was Justified; SIU Concludes Toronto Investigation

Mississauga, ON (4 April, 2022) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Toronto Police Service (TPS) officer discharged a less lethal shotgun at a 31-year-old man this morning.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 2:30 a.m. on April 4, 2022, TPS officers came across a man who was in crisis in the area of Dundas Street East and Victoria Street.
  • Officers attempted to engage with the man.
  • At some point, one officer deployed pepper spray at the man and another officer deployed a conducted energy weapon.
  • A third officer discharged a less lethal shotgun, and the man was struck. He was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for treatment. 

Two investigators have been assigned to the case. They are in the process of confirming whether the man sustained a serious injury. 

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 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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES