News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After OPP Officer Shot Less-Lethal Firearm at Two Youths in Harriston, Wellington County

Case Number: 23-PFP-485   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-PFP-485

SIU Concludes Investigation into Two Youths Shot with Less-Lethal Firearm in Wellington County

Mississauga, ON (22 November, 2023) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer discharged a less-lethal firearm at two male youths yesterday.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • On November 21, the OPP were called to a residence in Harriston for a disturbance.
  • Officers were dispatched, and two males were observed to be causing damage to the residence.
  • Officers attempted to negotiate and an officer fired and struck both males with Anti-riot Weapon Enfield rounds.
  • The boys were arrested and taken to hospital. They did not suffer any serious injury.
The males did not sustain any serious injury, but the SIU’s mandate was invoked because police officers discharged a less-lethal weapon, 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