News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Ottawa Police Officer Discharge of Less-Lethal Firearm at Man

Case Number: 23-OFP-303   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-OFP-303

SIU Completes Investigation into Ottawa Officer’s Discharge of Less-Lethal Firearm at Man

Mississauga, ON (2 August, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an Ottawa Police Service officer discharged an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 24-year-old man in Ottawa yesterday afternoon.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • On Tuesday, tactical unit officers were assisting to track a wanted man in the city of Ottawa.
  • They located the man in the area of Lisgar Street and Lyon Street. Officers attempted to arrest the man and he fled on foot into a parking lot.
  • An officer discharged an ARWEN and struck him.
  • The man was arrested and taken to hospital. He was not diagnosed with any serious injury.
One subject official and three witness officials have been designated at this time.

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