News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Less-lethal Firearm Discharge by Police Officer in Toronto

Case Number: 22-TFP-258   

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SIU Concludes Investigation into Toronto Officer Shooting Less-Lethal Shotgun at Man

Mississauga, ON (1 October, 2022) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the discharge of a less-lethal firearm by a Toronto Police Service officer yesterday at a 55-year-old man. 

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 8:10 p.m. on September 30, 2022, Toronto Police Service officers were dispatched to the area of Royal York Road and The Queensway for a man who had been causing a disturbance, and who was reported to be in possession of a knife.
  • When police officers arrived, the man fled to the area of Wesley Street and The Queensway. Officers attempted to communicate with the man.
  • At some point, two officers discharged conducted energy weapons at the man. Another officer deployed his less-lethal firearm at the man, and the man was struck. He did not sustain any serious injury. 
  • After the man was taken into custody, he went unconscious and first aid was administered. Paramedics arrived and transported the man to hospital where he regained consciousness. 
Two investigators and two forensic investigators have been assigned to the case. 

Even in cases of no serious injury or death, the Special Investigations Unit Act, 2019 dictates that the discharge of a firearm (in this case a less-lethal firearm) by an officer falls within the jurisdiction of the SIU. Under the 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