News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After Police Officer Discharges ARWEN at Man in Aurora

Case Number: 22-OFP-201   

Other News Releases Related to Case 22-OFP-201

SIU Concludes Investigation into York Officer Firing ARWEN at Man in Aurora Arrest

Mississauga, ON (10 August, 2022) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a York Regional Police Service (YRPS) officer discharged an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) today at a 26-year-old man. 

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 6 a.m. on August 10, 2022, YRPS officers were dispatched to a home on Cashel Court in relation to an intruder call. Officers were given information that the person of interest had a knife.
  • Once at the scene, officers contained the area.
  • At approximately 8 a.m., one officer discharged his ARWEN at the man. Two officers deployed their conducted energy weapons (CEW) at the man.
  • The man was apprehended and transported to hospital. 

At this time, it does not appear that the man suffered any serious injury as a result of the ARWEN deployment.

One investigator and two forensic investigator have been assigned to the case.  

The SIU’s mandate was invoked 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.

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