News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Discharge of Firearm by Police Officer During Bourget Interaction

Case Number: 23-PFP-181   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-PFP-181

SIU Concludes Investigation into OPP Officer’s Discharge of Firearm in Bourget

Mississauga, ON (16 May, 2023) ---
On May 11, 2023, three Ontario Provincial Police officers attended a home on Laval Street in Bourget for an investigation. Shortly after, all three officers were shot by a 39-year-old man. One of the officers, Sgt. Eric Mueller, succumbed to his injuries. The other two officers were taken to hospital for treatment.

The following day, the OPP forensic team was at the home and located evidence pointing to one officer having discharged his firearm during the interaction. This firearm belonged to one of the surviving officers.  The OPP notified the SIU.

While no one was struck as a result of the police firearm discharge, the SIU has invoked its mandate to look at that aspect of the incident.  Section 16 of the Special Investigations Unit Act, 2019, provides that police firearm discharges fall within the Unit’s jurisdiction even where they do not result in injury.  

At this time, three investigators and one forensic investigator 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.

Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES