News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Death of Woman, Serious Injuries of Man After Fall in Burlington
Case Number: 23-OCD-261
Other News Releases Related to Case 23-OCD-261
SIU Investigating Death of Woman, Serious Injury of Man in Burlington
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe two Halton Regional Police Service officers committed a criminal offence in connection with the death of a 24-year-old woman and serious injuries suffered by a 29-year-old man after they fell from a balcony. Officers were outside the apartment at the time they fell, so the SIU was notified and investigated.
On July 7, 2023, officers received a call about an individual brandishing a handgun in an apartment on Ghent Avenue. While officers were knocking on the door, the woman went to the balcony to flee. While trying to scale the balcony, she fell. Medical care was provided to the woman. Officers forced open the apartment door and the man attempted to escape via the balcony. While medical care was being provided to the woman below, the man fell. The man was taken to hospital where he was treated for a brain injury and other serious injuries.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision):
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