News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into OPP Officer Shooting Less-Lethal Firearm at Man in Orillia
Case Number: 24-PFP-143
Other News Releases Related to Case 24-PFP-143
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 firing an Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield (ARWEN) at a 33-year-old man.
On March 29, 2024, officers attempted to arrest the man for breaching the conditions of a release order by attempting to visit a resident at a building. Following a two-and-a-half standoff, with the man in possession of a knife and threatening to harm himself, the man jumped from the roof and tried to run away. An officer fired a single shot at the man and he was arrested. He was found to be without any serious injury.
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.
Monica Hudon, siu.media@ontario.ca
SIU Communications/Service des communications, UES