News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man Shot in Arm by Waterloo Police Officer in Kitchener
Case Number: 23-OFI-435
Other News Releases Related to Case 23-OFI-435
SIU Investigating After Waterloo Officer Shoots Man in Kitchener
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Waterloo Regional Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with shooting a 29-year-old man in Kitchener. On October 25, 2023, officers were dispatched to check on the condition of a driver sleeping in the driver’s seat of a Jeep, later learned to be stolen, in the parking lot of the townhouse complex at 211 Veronica Drive. The man, believed to be impaired, ignored commands to exit the Jeep and he drove forward, with one of the officers moving from its path. The officer found himself caught in a small space between a cruiser and the moving Jeep, fearing he may be crushed. The officer fired one shot, striking the man’s left forearm.
Director Martino was satisfied that the officer fired his gun believing it necessary to protect himself from a reasonably apprehended assault.
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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES