News Release

News Release

SIU Concludes Investigation into Man’s Death in Penetanguishene

Case Number: 23-PCD-357   

Other News Releases Related to Case 23-PCD-357

SIU Investigating Serious Injury of Man After Police Interaction in Penetanguishene
Update: Man who Sustained Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound in Penetanguishene Succumbs to Injury

Mississauga, ON (29 December, 2023) ---
On August 31, 2023, a 36-year-old man in Penetanguishene was grievously wounded when he shot himself in the head with a semi-automatic pistol. The man never recovered from his wound. He was removed from life support in hospital and passed away on September 4, 2023.  As Ontario Provincial Police officers were engaged with the man at the time of the shooting, the SIU was notified of the incident and initiated an investigation. On his assessment of the evidence, SIU Director Joseph Martino determined there were no reasonable grounds to believe that the officer in charge of police operations committed a criminal offence in connection with the man’s death.

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