News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After Toronto Officer Fires Less-Lethal Shotgun at Youth

Case Number: 23-TFP-044   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-TFP-044

Investigation Complete into Toronto Officer Who Shot Teen with Less-Lethal Shotgun

Mississauga, ON (14 February, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Toronto Police Service officer fired a less-lethal shotgun at a 15-year-old boy armed with a knife in downtown Toronto early this morning.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • Just after midnight on February 14, 2023, officers responded to the area of King Street and York Street for a male with a knife. 
  • Officers located the youth and an officer fired a less-lethal shot gun at him.
  • The youth fled and officers pursued him. The youth was apprehended near 320 York Street.
  • The boy was taken to hospital and found to be free of serious injuries.
Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. 

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

The male did not sustain any serious injury, but 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.

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