News Release
SIU Concludes Investigation into Man Shot at by OPP Officers in Timmins Area
Case Number: 24-PFP-248
Other News Releases Related to Case 24-PFP-248
SIU Investigating After Multiple Officers Discharge Firearms at Man in Timmins Area
The Special Investigations Unit found no reasonable grounds to believe five Ontario Provincial Police officers committed a criminal offence in connection with shooting at a 44-year-old man on Night Hawk Lake in June. Police were there to search for the man, a suspect in a murder investigation. The man shot an officer in the neck.
Director Joseph Martino found the evidence suggested the officers fired to defend themselves and their colleagues from a reasonably apprehended attack by the man. The officers only started to fire after the man took aim at the officers on the lake and shot in their direction. He was satisfied that the force used by the subject officials, namely, gunfire, constituted reasonable force.
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