News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating ARWEN Discharge by OPP Officer in Kenora

Case Number: 23-PFP-160   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-PFP-160

SIU Concludes Investigation into ARWEN Discharge at Man in Kenora

Mississauga, ON (1 May, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer with the Kenora detachment discharged an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 40-year-old man today.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 10:20 a.m. (Central) on Monday, May 1, 2023, OPP officers were conducting foot patrol in the area of McLeod Park (off of Lakeview Drive) when they came across a man lying across the railway tracks. 
  • The man rose to his feet and an interaction ensued between him and officers. 
  • The man fled the area on foot. 
  • A short time later, officers located the man again. He was in possession of a knife. An officer discharged his ARWEN at the man, but the man fled on foot once again. 
  • When the man was located again, officers arrested him and transported him to the OPP Kenora Detachment.

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.

Four 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

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