News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After OPP Officer Fires ARWEN at Man in Oshawa Area

Case Number: 23-PFP-082   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-PFP-082

SIU Concludes Investigation into OPP Officer Firing ARWEN at Man in Oshawa Area

Mississauga, ON (13 March, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer discharged an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 23-year-old man this afternoon.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 1 p.m. on March 13, 2023, OPP officers were investigating the man, who was reportedly wanted on outstanding warrants.
  • Officers saw him on Highway 401 in the Oshawa area when he stopped his vehicle and left on foot. 
  • Officers pursued the man on foot and in the course of arresting him in the area of the 401 near the Farewell Street offramp, an officer discharged an ARWEN at him. The man was struck.
  • The man was taken via ambulance to hospital for assessment.
The man did not sustain any serious injury, 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