News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Two Youths Shot with Less-Lethal Firearm in Wellington County
Case Number: 23-PFP-485
Other News Releases Related to Case 23-PFP-485
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe an Ontario Provincial Police officer committed a criminal offence in connection with shooting two male youths with a less-lethal firearm last November. Neither male was seriously injured.
On November 21, officers were dispatched to a residence in Harriston after receiving a call from a child welfare worker who was threatened by the males while attempting to check on the wellbeing of a baby. The youths damaged property, threatened officers, and threw objects at officers. An officer shot and struck the youths once each with a less-lethal firearm. They were arrested and taken to hospital where they were cleared of any 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.
Kristy Denette, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES