News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After OPP Officer Shot Less Lethal Firearm at Man in Prince Edward County

Case Number: 23-PFP-282   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-PFP-282

SIU Concludes Investigation into Picton ARWEN Discharge

Mississauga, ON (24 July, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer fired an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 66-year-old man in the Picton area yesterday.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 11 a.m. on July 23, 2023, police were called about the man after he was reportedly shooting a firearm on a property in the area of County Road 5 and County Road 6. 
  • Officers were dispatched, and they located the man armed with a gun.
  • An officer discharged an ARWEN at the man, striking him twice. A police service dog was also deployed.
  • The man was arrested and taken to hospital. The man did not suffer any serious injuries.
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.

One subject official and four witness officials have been designated at this time.

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