News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating after Officer Discharges ARWEN at Youth in Orillia

Case Number: 23-PFP-319   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-PFP-319

SIU Concludes Investigation into Discharge of ARWEN by OPP Officer in Orillia

Mississauga, ON (9 August, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer discharged his Anti-riot Weapon ENfield (ARWEN) at a youth today in Orillia.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 11:30 a.m. on August 9, 2023, OPP officers attended a home in Orillia for an domestic incident.
  • When a person from the home – a 16-year-old male – observed the officers in the home, he produced a knife. One officer responded by discharging his ARWEN at the youth.
  • He was taken to hospital.

While the youth did not sustain 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.

Three investigators 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