News Release

News Release

SIU Investigating Discharge of Less-Lethal Firearm at Teen in North Oshawa

Case Number: 24-OFP-406   

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Mississauga, ON (23 September, 2024) ---
The province’s Special Investigations Unit is investigating after a Durham Regional Police Service officer discharged a less-lethal firearm at a 15-year-old male in North Oshawa yesterday. He was not injured.

Preliminary information suggests the following:
  • At approximately 4:53 p.m. on September 22, 2024, Durham Regional Police Service officers were called to a residence on Simcoe Street North in relation to a family disturbance. Uniform officers, including a mental health officer, responded followed by tactical officers.
  • Officers negotiated with the male. There was an interaction and an officer discharged a less-lethal firearm as well as a conducted energy weapon at the male.
  • The male was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for assessment.

One subject official and 10 witness officials have been designated at this time.

The male did not sustain any serious injury, but 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