News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Toronto Police Officer After Man’s Self-Inflicted Injury
Case Number: 24-TCI-069
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 the self-inflicted gunshot wound suffered by a 40-year-old man. As officers were in the vicinity at the time, the SIU was notified and investigated. On February 18, 2024, officers were called to a residence in the area of Lawrence Avenue East and Morningside Avenue about a man in mental distress. The officers talked to the man, who barricaded himself in a bedroom, and tried to get him to exit. While in the bedroom, unbeknownst to the officers or his family that he had a revolver, the man shot himself in the face. Police called for paramedics and helped provide medical care until their arrival.
After review of the evidence, including body worn camera footage, Director Martino was satisfied that the officers comported themselves with due care and regard for the man’s wellbeing from start to finish.
Full Director’s Report (with Incident Narrative, Evidence, and Analysis & Director’s Decision): https://siu.on.ca/en/directors_report_details.php?drid=3891
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