News Release
Intervention of Officers in South Huron Likely Saved Man’s Life; SIU Discontinues Investigation
Case Number: 23-PCI-336
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, has terminated an investigation into the serious injury suffered by a 24-year-old man in August in South Huron.
At about 10 p.m. on August 18, 2023, the man – in a drug-induced psychotic state – went to the home of some acquaintances in South Huron. Concerned for the man’s well-being and for the safety of those in the residence, the homeowner contacted police. Upon arrival, Ontario Provincial Police officers found the man in the attached garage and confronted him there. The man was clearly of unsound mind. He had a gaping open wound to the torso and talked about needing to cut his heart out. When the man approached a table saw on the floor and started to uncoil its cable, an officer fired his conducted energy weapon. The probes punctured the man’s body and resulted in neuromuscular incapacitation. The man collapsed to the floor and was handcuffed by another officer. Paramedics who had been staging nearby entered the garage and rendered emergency care. The man was transported to hospital and treated for an eviscerated bowel.
Based on the SIU’s preliminary inquiries, Director Martino was satisfied that the investigation should be discontinued. On this record, it was plain and obvious that the man’s serious injury was not caused by the conduct of the police. Indeed, the officers’ interventions likely saved his life. As such, the SIU was without jurisdiction in the case, and the file has been closed.
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