News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Toronto Officer Firing Less-Lethal Shotgun at Man in West Toronto
Case Number: 23-TFP-522
Other News Releases Related to Case 23-TFP-522
SIU Investigating After Toronto Police Officer Shoots Less-Lethal Firearm at Man
The Director of the Special Investigations Unit, Joseph Martino, found no reasonable grounds to believe a Toronto Police Service officer committed a criminal offence in connection with firing a less-lethal firearm at a 42-year-old man last December. On December 21, 2023, officers were called to Roncesvalles Avenue, south of Bloor Street West, following reports of a man holding two sharp sticks and threatening cyclists and pedestrians. Officers pursued the man and he fled in and out of traffic. Three officers discharged Conducted Energy Weapons at him to no avail. Following that, an officer shot a less-lethal shotgun with sock rounds at the man four times. The officer kicked the man to the ground and he was handcuffed. He was not seriously injured.
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