News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After OPP Officer Shot ARWEN at Man in Norwich

Case Number: 23-PFP-105   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-PFP-105

SIU Concludes Investigation into Discharge of Firearm at Man in Norwich

Mississauga, ON (11 April, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer shot an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 44-year-old man in Norwich early this morning.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 2:30 p.m. on April 10, 2023, the OPP responded to a call about a man in distress at a residence on Dufferin Street.
  • The man barricaded himself inside the residence. After midnight on April 11, 2023, officers entered the home out of concern for the man’s safety.
  • One officer discharged an ARWEN at the man and he was apprehended under the Mental Health Act.
  • The man was taken to hospital. It is unknown at this time if the man suffered any serious injury.
While it is unknown at this time if the man suffered any serious injury, 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

Three investigators have been assigned to this case.

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