News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Discharge of ARWEN at Man in Uxbridge

Case Number: 23-OFP-076   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-OFP-076

SIU Concludes Investigation into Durham Officer’s Firing of Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield at Man in Uxbridge

Mississauga, ON (10 March, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) officer discharged an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) yesterday at a 40-year-old man.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • Shortly before 6:30 p.m. on March 9, 2023, DRPS received a call regarding a dispute between family members at a home in the area of Balsam Street and Brock Street West.
  • Shortly after officers arrived at the residence, there was an interaction between officers and the man. One officer discharged his ARWEN and the man was struck. Two other officers deployed their conducted energy weapons.
  • The man was transported to hospital for treatment of a serious injury.
Three investigators and one forensic investigator have been assigned to the case. 

An ARWEN 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