News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating After Officer Discharged Less-Lethal Firearm at Man in Brantford

Case Number: 24-OFP-378   

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Mississauga, ON (12 September, 2024) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Brantford Police Service officer discharged a less-lethal firearm at a 33-year-old man early this morning. He was not injured.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 1:50 a.m. on September 12, officers received a 911 call about an assault in progress at a residence on Marlene Avenue.
  • Officers were dispatched, and they located the man with a knife. The man threatened to harm himself.
  • Officers negotiated with the man and an officer discharged the Anti-Riot Weapon Enfield at the man. He was apprehended and taken to hospital. He was not injured.
The SIU’s mandate was invoked because a police officer discharged a less-lethal weapon, which is classified as a firearm. Under the Special Investigations Unit Act, a firearm is defined as a barreled weapon from which any shot, bullet or other projectile can be discharged and that is capable of causing serious bodily injury or death to a person.

The SIU is urging anyone who may have information about this investigation, including video or photos, to contact the lead investigator at 1-800-787-8529 or online at: https://siu.on.ca/en/appeals.php

If you or someone you know is an affected person in need of support, please call the Affected Persons Program General Referral Line at 1-877-641-1897 or click here for more information: siu.on.ca/en/apc.php

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