News Release

In the morning of May 1, 2023, two Ontario Provincial Police officers were on foot patrol in McLeod Park in Kenora when they came across a man lying on live railway tracks. As the officers neared the man to check on his well-being, the man rose to his feet and advanced on the officers holding a knife. The officers drew their firearms and the man turned away. Additional officers arrived on scene. There was an interaction, and one of the officers fired his Anti-riot Weapon ENfield (ARWEN) at the man, striking him in the lower back. The man, still in possession of the knife, then climbed over the railing of the bridge and sat on the ledge.  After some negotiations, the man threw the knife and climbed back onto the bridge.  He was arrested and taken into police custody. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that an officer committed a criminal offence in connection with the ARWEN discharge. There was no basis for proceeding with criminal charges in this case, and the file has been closed.

     

Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://www.siu.on.ca/en/directors_reports.php.