News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After Halton Officers Shoot Less-Lethal Shotgun, ARWEN at Man in Milton

Case Number: 23-OFP-031   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-OFP-031

SIU Concludes Investigation into Discharge of Less-Lethal Firearms by Two Officers in Milton

Mississauga, ON (30 January, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after Halton Regional Police Service officers shot a less-lethal shotgun and Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) rounds at a 43-year-old man in Milton early this morning.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 1:10 a.m. on January 30, 2023, officers were called to an apartment on Bronte Street South for a disturbance.
  • Officers attempted to negotiate with the man and attempted to apprehend him under the Mental Health Act. The man exited his apartment with a weapon. One officer discharged a less-lethal shotgun round at the man. The man went back inside his apartment. 
  • Officers attempted to negotiate with the man without success. Officers entered the apartment and another officer discharged an ARWEN multiple times at the man. 
  • The man was apprehended and taken to hospital.
  • He was not seriously injured.
Three investigators and three forensic investigators have been assigned.

The man was not seriously injured, but 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.

Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES